Private Duty Care
“I can assure you with the health care industry what it is today, your agency is an absolute breath of fresh air in how you operate and in what you do…your organization epitomizes service to others. You do what you say…to CARE FOR OTHERS as if they were your own.”
Dan Ahrens
Newburgh, IN
The skills of a nurse or other health care professional are not always necessary to keep someone living safely and independently in a familiar setting. Private duty, non-medical care that provides assistance with everyday living tasks can often keep people in their homes, provide a much-needed break for family caregivers, and prevent or delay moving to assisted living or a long-term care facility. Private duty care can also offer an extra measure of support for those already in a facility.
Whether your loved one needs a little–or a lot–of assistance to remain at home, VNA Plus provides senior care services on an hourly basis with a minimum of two consecutive hours required for most services. Caregivers are available 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays, to provide care in homes, hospitals, senior communities, assisted living and long-term care facilities in portions of the VNA Plus service area. For our clients’ protection, caregivers are employed by the Agency, screened, referenced, and verified through thorough criminal history checks and drug testing; and are trained by a registered nurse, bonded and insured prior to being assigned to a customer’s home. VNA Plus assumes all responsibility for payroll, taxes and workman’s compensation insurance so that our customers can focus on enjoying life. Should the primary caregiver be unavailable due to illness or requested time off, VNA Plus arranges back-up care through our extensive team of providers.
A registered nurse also completes an in-home assessment for our customers receiving companion and personal care services to ensure that their needs are being met appropriately!
We know that our customers and their families depend on our caregivers to be there, and we take that responsibility seriously…so seriously in fact, that we offer a No Missed Visits Guarantee: if we miss a private pay visit for any reason, the next visit (up to two hours of service) is free! You are welcome to view Frequently Asked Private Duty Questions for more information.
Our private duty services include:
Philips Lifeline Medical Alert Service
Lifeline provides a 24-hour connection to professional responders at the push of a button in case of a fall, medical emergency, or whenever assistance of any type is needed. Lifeline also offers an enhanced option known as AutoAlert, which will automatically call the reponse center if a fall is detected and the subscriber is unable to push the button. There is no equipment to buy, and no long-term contract is required. VNA Plus staff personally installs the unit, teaches the individual how to use it, and is available for ongoing questions and concerns.
Philips Personal Medication Dispenser
Complex medication schedules can lead to mistakes: missing doses, taking incorrect amounts or taking pills at the wrong time. The Philips Personal Medication Dispenser dispenses pre-loaded medications in easy-to-handle plastic cups at preprogrammed times; an audible message reminds the user when it is time to take the medication. If a dose is missed, Philips staff will alert a family member or other designated responder by phone. The dispenser can be filled by the customer, a family member or a VNA Plus nurse (for an additional fee.) The dispenser is leased on a monthly basis; there are no long-term contracts required. This service is currently limited to certain portions of the VNA Plus service area; please call for more information.
Housekeeping
Caregivers assist with light housekeeping tasks, laundry, grocery shopping and other errands, and meal preparation.
Companion Care
Companions (sometimes referred to as “sitters”) offer a reassuring presence for those who enjoy company or prefer not to be alone during the day or night. Companions can assist with the same tasks as a Housekeeper, help maintain the customer’s medication schedule, and escort the customer to out-of-home activities according to agency guidelines.
Personal Care Assistance
Personal care assistants have received additional training to provide gentle hands-on assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, mobility, transferring (such as from a bed to a chair), toileting and continence care, and medication reminders. They may also perform the duties of a Housekeeper and Companion Caregiver.
Respite Care
To help them maintain their physical and emotional health, family caregivers can rely on trained respite staff from 2-24 hours a day, whenever they need a break from their challenging responsibilities.
Customized Health Services
Routine in-home nursing care that is not covered under Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance such as foot care, medication management, blood draws, injections, insulin syringe pre-fill, assistance with TED hose and more can be provided in the convenience and privacy of the customer’s home by registered nurses. A physician’s order is required prior to service; VNA Plus can help obtain this order.
Licensed practical nurses and registered nurses may also perform private duty nursing care under the guidelines of a physician’s order for 2-24 hours daily in the customer’s home. VNA Plus nurses are licensed and are compliant with up-to-date infection control procedures, CPR and privacy law requirements.
Other Supportive Services
The services of home care aides, a dietitian, medical social workers, and physical, occupational and speech therapists are available on a private pay basis; please call for more information.
For more information or to make a referral, please call the Private Duty Services Department at 812-425-3561 or toll free, 800-326-4862; or use our online referral form.
VNA Plus is a charter member of the Home Care Association of America.