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November 19, 2003

The Reader's Page
The Post-Standard
PO Box 4915
Syracuse, New York 13221

To The Editor:

November is National Home Care Month. There seems no more appropriate and fitting time than now to express my deepest thanks and gratitude to the employees of the Visiting Nurse Association of Central New York, Inc. and Independent Health Care Services, Inc. Comprised of 350 employees, the hard-working individuals of these sister agencies rendered home health services to over 4,600 patients throughout Onondaga County and its surrounding areas in 2002 alone. They include professionals ranging from nurses, physical and occupational therapists, home health aides, dieticians, medical social workers to speech pathologists. My appreciation also extends to the office personnel who provide needed support services.

Since its inception more than a century ago, organized home care began when the most seriously ill were cared for at home. It was there that the nurse would care for the sick, teach family members how to provide care for their loved ones, educate new mothers on newborn care, and protect the public from the spread of disease through better hygiene.

Although the evolution of technology, advances in medicine and public health have changed throughout the years, the essence of home care remains constant — it improves the quality of life by enabling individuals to live with dignity and independence within the comfort and security of their own homes during times of illness, disability and recuperation.

More than 5 million Americans currently receive home care for both acute and long-term needs. As Americans live longer, this figure will continue to rise. In less than 10 years, one out of every five Americans will be over the age of 65. By 2040, the number of Americans over the age of 80 will triple to 26.2 million. Thus, caring for sick Americans at home will continue to assume a significant place in our health care delivery system.

The cost for delivering home care is paid for by a variety of private and public sources, including Medicare and Medicaid. As we're all aware, the state budget crisis, record federal deficits and continuous attempts by the federal government to "stabilize" Medicare have made a significant impact on the current condition of our nation's health care system. Perhaps now is the perfect time to remind everyone that home care saves the government billions of dollars every year and is the most cost-effective provider of health care in our system.

Recently, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published information regarding quality indicators on its Home Care Compare website. I am proud to note that the Visiting Nurse Association of Central New York, Inc. outcome data reflects the high level of quality that our staff delivers everyday to our patients and their families. Please join me in honoring these and all home health care professionals whose care and compassion makes a daily difference in the lives of those who need it the most.

Indi L. Shelby, RN, BSN, MS
President/CEO
VNA Systems, Inc., Visiting Nurse Association of Central New York, Inc. and Independent Health Care Services, Inc.
Syracuse

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