The Visiting Nurses Association is a non-profit community-based home health agency known for visiting patients in their homes and providing health care on an individual basis.

The mission of the VNA is to optimize health and independence. Special care is taken to make sure the mission is upheld in patient homes, but just as importantly, it is upheld in the community as well.

One of our goals is to build healthy communities through life-changing wellness programs. VNA gives back to the community in many ways, such as blood pressure clinics, wellness clinics, and bereavement programs.

VNA at 154 Hindman Road, Butler, has blood pressure clinics in 31 sites in Butler and Armstrong counties. These offer free blood pressure screenings and are open to the public. This is a great way for people to monitor their own readings on a continual basis and involve their physician if necessary.

Nurse managed wellness clinics are similar to the blood pressure clinics but offer a few added extras. A registered nurse not only takes blood pressure readings, but also educates participants on an individual basis according to their needs. They will discuss their disease processes, their medications, diet, exercise routine and other health related issues, and some of the clinics even offer a chair exercise program. The nurses can make referrals to physicians or other community resources.

There are four nurse managed wellness clinics, all held on a weekly basis. To find a complete listing of both types of clinics, go to www.vna.com.

Another way VNA gives back to the community is through the extensive list of bereavement programs through hospice services. Since many nonpatients also have bereavement needs, the VNA Community Bereavement Center was developed with the mission to support and educate all who grieve before, during and after a loss. There are specific support groups and educational opportunities geared toward adults, children, teens, family caregivers, employers and employees. Groups are led by experienced counselors.

In addition to having a center with rooms to accommodate those in need, participants can gain knowledge from the hundreds of books and materials on grief, caregiving, and serious illness in the Bob Schmeiler Memorial Library in the same building.

For more than 40 years, the Visiting Nurses Association, which has 250 workers, has been providing care to patients in their homes in Butler, Armstrong, northwest Westmoreland county and parts of surrounding areas. In addition to home health, VNA provides hospice services, medical equipment and supplies, home monitoring, personal emergency response systems, private duty and immunizations.

For information on volunteering or bereavement services, please call 724-282-6806.

This article was submitted by the Visiting Nurses Association.