WellCommons

A solid foundation was laid in 1969 as the Douglas County VNA’s founder, Lynn Rothwell, RN, and a group of community leaders formed a corporation to provide home health care in Douglas County. This not-for-profit agency opened an office February 2, in an unfinished basement at 342 Missouri, having faith that a Federal Government 3-year stimulatory grant would soon be forth coming. Lynn and the community had worked hard to raise the necessary $5,000 matching funds to obtain the $20,000 grant. Part-time staff eagerly welcomed opportunities to assist victims of strokes, multiple sclerosis, cancer and other illnesses. Welcome were the 2,624 visits that first year to patients and families often not knowing where to turn for assistance at home. By mid-year, the half-time director and half-time secretary were weekly scheduling 20-40 hours for nursing care, about 140 hours for aide care, 10 hours for physical therapy and 2-4 hours for occupational therapy.

Growth and expansion of home care to meet community needs has been constant through the years. Medicare regulation, insurance sources of reimbursement and changes in society’s health care system certainly have at times dictated major spurts of growth in 1973, 1982, 1983 and 1985 to 1995. Keeping pace with changes and advancements in medicine and technology has not only given Douglas County residents an alternative to institutional care, but the opportunity to choose to have health care at home in their own familiar surroundings.

A move in June, 1980, with the Lawrence Douglas County Health Department to the remodeled south wing of the old hospital at 336 Missouri, Suite 201, took us back next door to our original offices. As both agencies had grown and expanded, we still shared space, but less staff. The Executive Director was no longer Director of Nurses for the Health Department.

VNA incorporated Hospice Care of Douglas County under our umbrella in August, 1981. This expanded and enhanced services for the terminally ill. The cooperative use of staff prevented duplication.

Our changing health care system, focusing on cost containment and appropriate institutional placement, began to force a change in the delivery of health care. This change was not only in acute care, but emerging was an increasing need for long term care at home for those chronically ill individuals. In 1982, our companion program began, offering a minimum of 4 hours of care. Advancing technology and the reaching out to human needs allowed infusion therapy to be offered at home in Douglas County in 1983. In 1984, Delta’s financial software began to advance VNA in the new technology world.

One of the great things Revenue Sharing and Community Development Block Grant Funds did was to renovate the lower level of 336 Missouri for much needed expanded office space for VNA. The move happened February 2, 1985, VNA’s 16th anniversary. Our staff of 85 (57 FTE) moved from 800 square feet to 6000 square feet of space.

The formation of a separate department for long-term care was accomplished in 1986. This allowed growth and expansion of home care support services for chronically ill individuals.

In the 1990's many things had happened in the health care system to cause rapid growth in home health care.

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High technology in health care created new populations of chronically ill people.

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Individuals surviving trauma and major illnesses were often left with long-term health problems.

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In the first half of this century, the mentally retarded often did not live beyond early adulthood. A population of mentally retarded senior citizens has emerged. This population tends to have more chronic illness than the general population.

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Improved technology made it possible to provide care at home that was traditionally provided only in a hospital.

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Studies showed that recuperation and response to treatment is often better in a familiar surrounding – home.

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National opinion polls showed that the public overwhelmingly preferred home care in both acute care and long-term care. Our society’s bias for institutional care changed in favor of community based service.

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Legislators were convinced that health care which could safely be done at home was less costly than institutional care.

In 1995 contracts with managed care companies became a reality. The competition for contracts and proof of excellence stimulated the agency to begin work to achieve Joint Commission Accreditation, which was received in August of 1996. VNA became a member of a seven state coalition in an attempt to attract managed care companies. It was found that even though all the states were in the mid west there was enough geographical difference that success was very limited. The state Medicaid system took on a new form and contracted with managed care companies to be the case managed and the payer of home health services.

August 23, 1999 was a glorious day when VNA moved from two sites to the Community Health Facility at 200 Maine. Occupying 17,870 square feet on the third floor with some growth room was a wonderful move and an incredible gift from the community.

The end of May 2002, Marceil Lauppe, Executive Director since 1980, retired after thirty-three years of service with VNA. This marked a significant milestone in VNA history, as Marceil was well-known for her no-nonsense, practical approach to service. The recognition and respect she had from the community was enormous.

In June 2002, Jan Jenkins became the new Executive Director. Jan served as Director from 1977-1980 and brought continuity to the Agency for the future. Jan resigned as VNA’s Director in December, 2005. Judith A. Bellome,RN,BSNEd, MSEd is Douglas County VNA's current Chief Executive Officer.

Douglas County VNA's Founder Lynn Rothwell died on June 16, 2005.