Community Programs and Education at Rockingham VNA & Hospice

LIAISON PROGRAM

Smoothing the transition from inpatient to home care, Rockingham VNA & Hospice nurses meet with patients, family members and healthcare providers at area hospitals and healthcare facilities to review the care patients will need, educate them about home health/hospice services, and facilitate their transition to home.

FALLS RISK-REDUCTION PROGRAM:

The Falls Risk-Reduction Program has been developed to assess and reduce the incidence of falls in elderly, at-risk populations. Patients are often referred for a safety evaluation visit by physicians, first responders, or insurance companies. Referrals may also be made by family members, friends, or other health professionals.
Complimentary educational programming is also available to community groups, providers, first responders, and other health facility personnel on falls risk-screening and reduction.

ORTHOPEDIC PREOP PROGRAM: PREPARING FOR JOINT REPLACEMENT SURGERY

The Pre-operative Rehabilitation Services Program has been specifically designed for patients who are scheduled for elective hip or knee replacement surgery.
The program includes:

  • A comprehensive Pre-operative Evaluation performed by a Physical Therapist
  • A Home Safety Assessment
  • Teaching and recommendations for assistive devices and adaptive equipment as necessary
  • A discussion of the surgical procedure and a review of possible post-operative tracks (Home Care, Outpatient, Sub-acute Care)
  • Instruction in an appropriate therapeutic exercise regime
  • Gait and transfer training
 

DISEASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS

Carefully planned interventions, patient and family education, and measuring outcomes are all components of this process. The result is often improved outcomes that include a greater ability for an individual to manage a condition; an increased compliance with treatment; and a better quality of life.

Rockingham VNA & Hospice offers specific Disease Management Programs for individuals with the following conditions:

  • Cardiopulmonary Disease, including Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
  • Diabetes Mellitus
  • Geriatric Dementia-related disorders
  • Wounds and Lymphedema Management

 

COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS

Through clinics and educational programs we take our commitment to education and caring to the community at large. That is why  Rockingham VNA & Hospice provides many community clinics and programs at convenient locations throughout Rockingham County and southern New Hampshire.
 

Foot Care Clinics

Our agency offers monthly foot care clinics for seniors to receive basic health services. Registered nurses provide foot care, blood pressure screening, medication education, and nutritional education. The clinics do not replace regular primary care provider office visits. Foot Clinic Monthly Schedule Clinics are by appointment only. Call 603-580-6668 for further information or to schedule an appointment.

Foot Clinic Monthly Schedule

HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Health Education Programs provided by clinicians, educators, and counselors include: Adult (General) Bereavement Support Group
Provides an opportunity for those who are grieving the death of a loved one to meet in a safe, supportive environment and share with others who are also experiencing loss. Motherless Daughter Support Group

This support group allows women who have experienced this special type of loss to meet, share their emotions, and gain support from other group members.

BEREAVEMENT SERVICES & GRIEF SUPPORT GROUPS

For more details regarding our bereavement services and grief support groups, please click here

The death of a loved one leaves behind feelings of loss which give way to deep pain. Working through the pain is what is called grief work. Although no two experiences are the same, we do know that it is a process that all must go through. Reactions, though typical, will differ for each person and vary in degree, intensity and duration.

It is the goal of the Bereavement Program of Rockingham Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice to help those who have experienced loss understand and normalize their feelings of grief.

Hillary Coughlin provides bereavement support through grief support groups and short-term counseling in private residences, nursing homes, and hospitals. The grief support groups are also offered to the general public, free of charge, so that grief can be expressed in a healthy context.

ADULT BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUPS

These six week closed groups provide an opportunity for those who are grieving the death of a loved one to meet in a safe, supportive environment and share with others who are also experiencing loss. All groups are led by trained grief support group facilitators. Support groups are offered year round in the fall, winter, spring and summer and take place at a variety of our locations for your convenience. Registration for these groups is required. For details on when and where our six week groups are taking place, please call 603-580-8948.

ADULT DROP-IN BEREAVEMENT MONTHLY SUPPORT GROUPS

These grief support groups meet once a month and are for those interested in exploring the grieving process or for those looking for monthly support after having gone through our six week support group. There is no registration required to attend and there is no ongoing commitment. There is an open discussion and topics for discussion rotate each session. All groups are led by trained grief support group facilitators. Currently, our monthly drop-in grief support group is being held on the second Monday of every month from 2:00 - 3:30 pm at the Epping Regional Health Center, 212 Calef Highway, Epping. For questions, please call 603-580-8948.

Hospice Volunteers

Hospice volunteers are ordinary people who go through extensive training to prepare them to companion with a patient who is on their end of life journey.  They provide emotional support to the patient by helping them to feel less isolated and by engaging them in activities and life review.  They can serve in a variety of ways, including providing respite so caregivers can have personal time, running errands or doing shopping, and even sitting vigil with patients who are dying.  

Volunteer trainings are held in the Spring and in the Fall and are 8 weeks in length.  Additionally, independent study training can be arranged.  Topics covered in both trainings are:

  • Hospice philosophy and model of care
  • What is covered under hospice care and who pays for it?
  • Qualifying for Hospice Care
  • Symptom management 
  • Death and Dying
  • Grief and Bereavement
  • Spirituality at the End of Life
  • Boundaries, Active Listening, Empathy and Sympathy
  • Advance Directives
  • Abuse and Neglect
  • Patient Rights, Confidentiality, Infection Control, Safety
  • Caring for Veterans

If you are interested in becoming a hospice volunteer call us at 603-660-4528.

Social Work Resources

Please click here to view our resources for social workers.