Your questions and concerns are very important to us. In this section you can find some of the most frequently asked questions we receive. If you have a question that is not answered here, please feel free to call us at 203-375-5871 or email us at stratfordvna@stratfordvna.org
Is the VNA hiring?
Yes! We are currently looking to fill several positions including Home Health Aides, Certified Nursing Assistants, RNs, LPNs and physical therapists, among others. Check out the Careers page to learn more.
What insurance companies does the VNA accept?
On our Insurance page we list all of the insurance companies that the VNA is able to accept. If you don’t see your insurance company listed, please contact us. We may be able to obtain authorization from other providers not included on the list.
Does the Stratford VNA serve areas outside of Stratford?
Yes, the VNA includes parts of Fairfield and New Haven counties within their service area. The Area of Service page has a map illustration to help show the different towns. If you take a look there, you can see if your town is on the list.
Why Should I Choose Home Care?
- If you need teaching and support related to a new diagnosis or exacerbation
- If you need help managing diabetes, Congestive Heart Failure or other chronic conditions
- If you have had a recent change in medications or you have concerns about medication management
- If you are making frequent calls to the doctor’s office with questions
- If you are having trouble coping
- If you have having challenges with mobility and/or home safety issues
- If you are experiencing falls at home
- If your loved one is showing signs of depression, dementia or mental changes
- If your loved one is showing neglect of personal hygiene
- If you observe weight loss, loss of appetite or difficulty with eating in your loved one
Why Should I Choose Stratford VNA?
- We are a local, non-profit agency that has served the community since 1919.
- Our mission is to provide high quality, comprehensive health services. Our commitment to this is reflected in our mission statement and in our consistently high patient satisfaction rate.
- We will make a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
- Staff longevity- 64% of our employees have worked for Stratford VNA for more than three years and 31% have been with the company ten years or more. Our staff know what is needed to care for patients at home.
- Our staff undergoes a thorough screening process including criminal, driving and licensing background checks, as well as professional references.
- Staff members receive a personalized orientation to our agency’s policies and procedures and are deemed competent in all procedures prior to performing them.
Specialties include Advanced Wound Care, Cardiac/High Risk, Home Telemonitoring, Psych Nursing, IV Therapy and many others. - We work closely with doctors, and the local hospitals to help our patients remain at home as long as possible.
- Quality care that is proven- Our agency was chosen as one of the 2009 HomeCare Elite, and again in 2011. The HomeCare Elite is the annual compilation of the most successful home health care providers in the U.S.
- We have a wide service area including towns in Fairfield and New Haven counties.
How will my care be paid for?
Medicare covers homecare services 100% if you meet the following criteria:
- Be considered homebound
- Care must be intermittent
- Care must be reasonable and necessary
- Care is ordered by a physician
Medicaid covers homecare services 100% if you meet the following criteria:
- Care must be intermittent
- Care must be reasonable and necessary
- Care must be ordered by a physician
Private insurance company coverage depends on individual policies, but generally has the same coverage guidelines as Medicare.
Call the agency for any questions regarding coverage of your services.
How often can I expect a visit?
Your nurse or therapist will conduct a thorough assessment of your needs and health status and formulate a treatment plan with you to best meet your goals. Generally, you will receive more frequent visits and phone calls by your homecare team within the first few weeks of beginning care. As you reach your goals and become more independent, visits will be more spaced out until you are discharged from care.
How will the agency help me manage my pain?
The Stratford VNA believes all patients have a right to be as comfortable as possible. If you are having pain, your nurse or therapist will work with you to find the best method to control it. Pain can affect all aspects of your life including sleeping, eating, moving and socializing. If pain is not controlled, it can affect your recovery and response to treatment.
You will be asked to rate your pain on a scale from 0-10 with zero being no pain and ten indicating the most severe pain you have ever felt. Pain can be described as sore, heavy, achy, burning, stinging, sharp, dull, shooting or cramping. Let your nurse or therapist know what makes your pain better or worse.
Sometimes pain can be relieved or improved without using medication. Non-pharmacological pain relievers can be heat, cold, rest, elevation, massage or simple distraction like music or reading. Ask your nurse or therapist about non-pharmacological ways to relieve your pain.
What do I do if I need help after hours or on the weekend?
A registered nurse is available by phone seven days a week, 24 hours a day to discuss any issues you may be experiencing and make a home visit if determined appropriate. We encourage you to “Call me first.” The “Call me first” campaign is designed to help keep you out of the hospital and at home where you can convalesce in a comfortable environment. Call your nurse or therapist whenever you experience a change in condition, have a question or a concern. Reporting changes when they occur allows the VNA staff to speak with your doctor, possibly make changes to your treatment plan and keep you at home.
How long will my homecare services last?
Your treatment plan is based on your individual needs and the length of services will depend upon your medical status and how quickly you achieve your treatment goals.