News
Neighborhood Health Agencies is always striving to ensure outstanding care. Read on for just a few examples of our success.
NHA Annual Report for 2009
Our annual report has been compiled and is now available for review.
Click here to read the report.
July 2009 - NHA’s Executive Director speaks at Woman’s Exchange Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon
Take a look at the Main Line Suburban Life and Main Line Times articles to read about our Executive Directory, Andrea Devoti, speaking at the luncheon on June 25th.
NHA Annual Report for 2008
Our annual report has been compiled and is now available for review.
Click here to read the report.
October 21, 2007 - The Philadelphia Inquirer article: Solace when life grows short
Neighborhood Hospice in West Chester provides a respite for care-givers and gravely ill patients alike.
Please follow the link to the article: Philly.com Article.
August 2007 - One Year Anniversary
Located across the street from Chester County Hospital at 400 East Marshall Street, the unit has cared for more than 350 patients during its first year of operation. In December 2007, Comcast CN8 recognized Neighborhood Hospice for its superior patient care and chose the organization as one of eight recipients in the metropolitan Philadelphia area profiled in the cable TV channel's "Eight Days of Caring" series of holiday broadcasts.
The mission of Neighborhood Hospice has always been to provide comfort and dignity to patients at the end of their life. The Hospice Inpatient unit opened and expanded over the past year to be able to care for twenty-two patients who are experiencing physical symptoms that require 'round-the-clock skilled nursing care. The unit includes twenty-two private rooms with adjacent areas including a family lounge, youth room, meditation room and spacious dining room, all decorated in a home-like style.
If you would like to learn more about Hospice care at Neighborhood Health Agencies, or you would like to visit our new Hospice Inpatient Unit, please call 610-696-6511.
Now celebrating its 96th anniversary, NHA has been providing home health, hospice, personal care, and outreach services to communities in Chester County and surrounding areas since 1912.
June 15, 2007 - DailyLocal.com article: New to the neighborhood
WEST CHESTER -- Chester County‘s first dedicated in-patient hospice facility will open here this summer.
Housed in the former home of the West Chester Rehabilitation Hospital, which left the space last fall, the 16-bed Neighborhood Hospice is a division of the nonprofit Neighborhood Health Agencies Inc.
Please follow the link to the article: DailyLocal.com Article.
March 30, 2007 - Neighborhood Health Agencies, Inc. Gets National Recognition
At a recent national conference, the National Council on Aging, in collaboration with the Falls Free Coalition, recognized Neighborhood Health Agencies, Inc. (Neighborhood Visiting Nurse Association/Neighborhood League Health Services) as having one of the nation's 10 most creative home safety assessment and modification programs and practices.
Over a period of nine months, the national groups' Falls Free Coalition Home Safety Workshop designed and conducted a national search for creative programs and practices aimed at reducing home hazards. Leading experts in home safety created a self-nomination survey that resulted in more than 60 completed self nominations.
In addition to national prominence, Neighborhood Health Agencies, Inc. (NHA) will receive a cash award and certificate recognizing the agency's outstanding achievement in promoting a safe home environment. NHA's Senior HealthLink program, in collaboration with the Chester County Health Department, developed a Home Safety Survey that student nurses from four area nursing schools administer during visits to senior citizens' homes. In addition, NHA has developed a Fall Risk Assessment Form that is currently being implemented in fall risk screening events throughout Chester County.
"Assessments of home safety and fall risk are a high priority for NHA's Senior HealthLink program," declared Outreach Coordinator Mary Jo Baldino, RN. "We know that falls are a major contributor to seniors losing their ability to live independently at home. So anything we can do to maximize home safety and minimize the risk of falls will help the seniors we serve to maintain their sense of independence and well being."
Now celebrating its 95th anniversary, NHA has been providing home health, hospice, personal care, and outreach services to communities in Chester County and surrounding areas since 1912.
May 27, 2005 - Telemonitoring Offers Home Care Patients Improved Health, Peace of Mind
Living with a serious medical condition like congestive heart failure (CHF) often means days of uncertainty and fear.
“You are constantly trying to guess if your symptoms are reaching the point where you need to call the doctor, or worse,” said Carrie Ballentine, 78, of Downingtown, PA. “Sometimes you don’t even realize you are feeling poorly until things are pretty bad.”
CHF patients like Mrs. Ballentine must constantly monitor – and battle – a build-up of fluid in the lungs, legs and other parts of the body, caused by the heart pumping ineffectively. Symptoms can quickly elevate to a critical point where an emergency room visit or hospitalization is required.
Since October 2004, many of Mrs. Ballentine’s fears have been alleviated, thanks to a new “buddy” she’s made through her home health care provider, Neighborhood Health Agencies (NHA). The Health Buddy® appliance is a tabletop monitoring device that allows patients to self-monitor vital signs and other health indicators, such as weight, temperature, blood sugar and pulse. It also asks a series of health-related questions, regarding how they feel, eating habits, medications, etc. Once recorded, the information is transmitted to a nurse, who assesses the information for any alerts. If something looks out of line – based on pre-determined patient standards – a nurse is able to quickly intervene with medication adjustment or other treatment.