The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern NJ (VNA), a regional provider of comprehensive home health care solutions, announced on Monday it would open a 12-bed inpatient VNA Hospice at Saint Clare’s Dover Hospital under a licensure expansion granted by the New Jersey Department of Health.

The facility, located in a recently-vacated leased space on the fourth floor of the hospital’s south wing, will open on Aug. 19.

“Together with our established hospice at-home program, this inpatient unit will help to ensure the availability and continuity of care for area residents with life limiting illnesses,” said Faith Scott, president and chief executive officer of VNA.  “While most hospice patients prefer to remain at home, some have needs that require transfers to inpatient care. Our VNA is now better positioned to seamlessly support such patients and their loved ones by delivering high quality, coordinated, compassionate care in both settings.”

A long commitment to hospice

The VNA’s comprehensive hospice program is dedicated to comforting patients with limited life expectancies and their loved ones. An individualized care plan is devised for every client based on their needs and preferences.

The VNA is equipped to provide physician case oversight; pain and symptom management; skilled nursing; rehabilitative therapy; registered dietician/nutrition services; counseling by licensed social workers; chaplains; practical home health aide assistance with personal hygiene and household tasks; and specially trained volunteer companions.

In the months following the passing of a loved one, the VNA also offers bereavement counseling for family members.

“This strategic development is a logical next step for the Visiting Nurse Association of Northern NJ which has served patients in the final phase of life throughout its 121-year history and operated a dedicated in-home hospice program since 1995,” Scott said. “Our organization has historically been at the forefront of addressing timely community needs and hospice care currently ranks among them.”

Hospice support for Saint Clare’s Denville Hospital

A separate hospice contract between the Visiting Nurse Association of Northern NJ and Saint Clare’s Denville Hospital was also recently finalized.  Under the terms of that agreement, the VNA will assist with palliative and hospice care services on the Denville campus.

The Dover and Denville hospitals are part of Saint Clare’s Health which also operates a network of specialty and ancillary care facilities that serve residents of Morris, Sussex and Warren counties.