Personalized Care – Senior Services

Harriet*, 86, came to the JF&CS mental health program looking for help. Her husband, Irving*, 90, had been recently diagnosed with congestive heart failure and was suffering from the after effects of a stroke. It was becoming increasingly difficult for Harriet to care for him at home.

Harriet's psychotherapist recommended that her husband be evaluated for home health services by the JF&CS Visiting Nurse Association (VNA).

The VNA nurse did an initial assessment and determined that Irving was eligible for Medicare services. The VNA then designed a customized treatment plan that helped Irving receive better care and also eased his wife’s stress. A home health aide was also provided to assist Irving with activities of daily living such as bathing and meal preparation.

Ellen Lash, Director of JF&CS VNA Healthcare Operations, was pleased to say, “We provided integrated services that involved the whole family. What makes JF&CS VNA different from other home health providers is JF&CS. We can draw upon the rest of the agency for client needs … from food assistance to addressing nutritional needs to the entire geriatric continuum.”

The VNA was also able to identify a Veterans Administration benefit that provided additional home health aide services for Irving, which greatly reduced the burden for his wife. The nurse and psychotherapist together determined he could benefit from counseling and a mental health social worker from JF&CS provided in-home therapy to help him cope with the many changes he was experiencing.

Irving received skilled services from the JF&CS VNA for four months, but he continued to receive JF&CS geriatric care management from Your Elder Experts after he was discharged. They arranged 24-hour private care for him, and when that proved not to be enough to keep him safe in his home, helped the family with his transition into a nursing home.

Throughout Irving’s treatment, Harriet was reassured that her husband was getting personalized care that met his needs and helped the couple on this difficult journey.

The JF&CS Visiting Nurse Association has been delivering home health services to Greater Boston for 25 years. To be eligible for home health services, patients must be homebound and have a physician order for services. JF&CS can work directly with the patient’s physician to establish eligibility. If eligible, services are covered by Medicare and MassHealth. JF&CS can also bill most other private insurance and managed care plans.

*Names changed to protect privacy.