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Patients, Donors, Volunteers, and Staff Share Their Stories

VNA Care's mission is to provide the right care with kindness and compassion every day for every person we serve. We'll be sharing stories here about the ways our mission has made a difference in the lives of our patients and their loved ones, and what it means to our staff, volunteers, and donors who make this important work possible.

 

Featured Stories 

 

RN Inspired by VNA Care Patients to Run the Boston Marathon

Over the years, Melisa Mantha, RN, has listened as patients shared their stories of running the Boston Marathon – stories of endurance, determination, and triumph. This year, after more than a decade as a home health care nurse at VNA Care, she’s no longer just hearing those stories. She’s becoming one of them. (read more) 

 

 

Hospice Volunteer Brings Joy, Comfort with the Help of her Rescue Dog

VNA Care hospice volunteer Angela Moll will be the first to tell you that she’s not the one making the biggest impact during her visits with terminally ill patients. It’s her dog. “I’m just the transportation,” she said with a laugh. (read more) 

 

 

Couple Receives Their Wish to Remain Together at Home Despite Terminal Illnesses

When Carol Reynolds remembers her parents’ final months together, one conversation stands out in her mind — a simple exchange that still brings tears to her eyes nearly a year later. Philip and Mary Rodden, married for nearly seven decades, were sitting together with their hospice spiritual counselor Tim Aznavourian talking about bucket lists. Phil’s response was immediate. (read more) 

 

 

Therapist Invested in Helping Patients Remain Safe, Independent at Home

For occupational therapist Kelly Maguire, OTR/L, CLWT, the rewards of helping someone improve their ability to function and remain independent at home are immense. “There’s so much occupational therapists can do. We assess cognition and safety. We make modifications in the home and help people access additional resources,” said Kelly. (read more) 

 

 

A Peaceful Goodbye: A Daughter’s Gratitude for her Mother’s Hospice Journey at Home and the Rose Monahan Hospice Home

Joanne Malone had a way of making friends wherever she went. It was no surprise that her circle of loved ones continued growing when she moved to the Rose Monahan Hospice Home. “Although she didn’t have much in material things when she was young, she was rich in spirit,” remembered her daughter, Deborah Chapin. “She was a strong person and always there to help other people.” (read more) 

 

Home Health Care  

 

US Army Veteran Grateful for VNA Care RN who Goes the Extra Mile

If Ray and Dorothy Roberts had to describe Esther Asdourian, RN, in just one word, it would be “lifesaver.” Esther came into their lives more than two years ago when Ray needed nursing care at home following a transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Unhappy with the home health care agency that previously cared for him, Ray and Dorothy chose VNA Care, a pioneer in home-based health care services for nearly 140 years. (read more) 

 

Older Adults Achieve Health Goals, Remain Independent with VNA Care

The most valuable lesson Nigma Patel, PT, DPT, has learned from her older adult patients is to never take your abilities for granted. “My patients tell me ‘I want to get on the floor to play with my grandson’ or ‘I want to be able to leave home and go to brunch with my daughter,’” said Nigma. Many others in their 80s and beyond simply want to remain healthy at home. (read more) 

 

VNA Care Helps Home Health Patient Defy the Odds After Cardiac Arrest

Ronald Walsh’s comeback from a severe heart attack and cardiac arrest was nothing short of a miracle. Only 10% of people survive a cardiac arrest (when the heart stops beating) outside a hospital setting. Ron had been at home asleep when the unthinkable happened. (read more) 

 

Retiree Calls VNA Care a “Godsend” for Getting her Health Back on Track

Suzanne Lolar was in a state of despair after surgery to move her colostomy upended her life and left her at a loss for how to move forward. She soon found hope and comfort in VNA Care’s visiting nurses. (read more) 

 

Hospice and the Rose Monahan Hospice Home

Fulfilling Father’s Wish to Remain at Home was “the Most Amazing Gift”

Jennifer Gallotta knew time was growing short for her father Edwin Page. His health had been gradually declining, although he was always able to get back on track with the support of VNA Care’s home health care team. “I knew my Dad was in good hands with VNA Care, and that my parents would feel supported with whatever they needed,” said Jennifer, who then served as a clinical services manager at VNA Care. “My Dad would tell me, ‘When I see them coming up the driveway, it just lights me up. I’m so happy they’re here.’” (read more) 

 

Hospice Team Supports Brain Cancer Patient in Living on Her Terms

Michael Malone remembers the day he moved his wife Heidi Brenke-Malone to the Rose Monahan Hospice Home. It was the beginning of Heidi’s last adventure — one that she chose knowing her time was limited. “Heidi was fearless and brave in everything she did,” remembered Michael. “She was very outgoing, and people loved her.” (read more) 

 

VNA Care’s Hospice Team “Simply Amazing” as They Help Family Navigate End-Stage Alzheimer’s with Nursing, Social Work, and Other Supports

Marie Leduc’s only wish was to remain at home with her family as she faced Alzheimer’s disease. It was the same wish she and her family fulfilled for her own mother, Rose, when she received the same shattering diagnosis. (read more) 

 

Family Takes Comfort in the Wonderful Care Provided to Their Father at the Rose Monahan Hospice Home and Gives Back in his Memory

One of Edward Bergman’s fondest memories of his father William was pulling into the driveway of the family home and seeing his dad sitting in the garage with the door open, enjoying the sunshine and fresh air and watching the world pass by. “He would offer us a chair to sit with him, and many times our conversations would turn to topics of his life. He would frequently tell us that he felt so blessed and thankful to have his wonderful family and friends,” shared Edward. (read more) 

 

Behind the Scenes with Our Staff and Volunteers 

Rose Monahan Hospice Home RN Values Time with Patients, Families

When Amy Brassard, RN, BSN, CHPN, was a high school senior, she watched hospice nurses care for her grandfather at home. She saw not only skilled hands at work, but also hearts that brought peace to an entire family. The experience left a lasting impression — a quiet conviction that everyone deserves to spend their final days in comfort and dignity. (read more) 

 

Retired RN, Coast Guard Veteran Honored to Serve as Hospice Volunteer

For Marc Reiss, a retired nurse and Coast Guard veteran, caring for others has always been second nature. These days, his service continues through VNA Care’s hospice program, where he volunteers his time – often with fellow veterans nearing the end of life. (read more) 

 

Helping People Learn the True Meaning of Hospice

When Celeste Lamoureux meets with terminally ill individuals and their loved ones for the first time, she knows what many of them are thinking: Hospice means giving up. That deeply rooted misconception is exactly what she works to change — one conversation at a time. (read more) 

 

Occupational Therapist Dedicated to Helping Patients Get Their Lives Back

There’s one sight guaranteed to make Georgia Menard, OTR/L, smile as she drives from one patient’s home to the next — spotting a former patient on a daily walk around town when they were previously confined to home and reliant on supplemental oxygen. (read more) 

 

Visiting Nurse Makes a Difference Every Day Through Compassionate Care

When Domingo Luna was referred to VNA Care after an above-the-knee leg amputation, his paperwork read, “Must have Elia.” There was no one he trusted more than Elia Borges, RN, to help him recover from such life-changing surgery. A registered nurse with VNA Care for nearly a decade, Elia’s sharp clinical skills had quite possibly saved Domingo’s life just weeks before. (read more) 

 

Archive

Delve into more stories from VNA Care's patients and families, donors, volunteers, and staff. (read more)