The nurse accidentally caused significant damage to some valuable items in my house. He stated that they were well insured and would be taking care of the repairs. Replacement wasn't possible. That was the last I heard from them. Repeated calls and messages left went unanswered. I finally contacted my insurance company, who did cover the repairs minus my deductible. They also tried contacting VNA Care, even sent a registered letter but got no response. The professionals who came were pleasant but didn't really do much besides vitals and were quick to discharge. What kind of business doesn't stand up to responsibility? Definitely would not recommend them! I am out a significant amount of money because they won't respond and cover my deductible. read more

Home health care company. Offering skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, social services, hospice care, home health aids, and companion services . Caring clinicians and staff. Would highly recommend using this agency for all your home healthcare needs. read more

My mother has been on hospice care for a year, receiving the support and medical attention she needs to live with dignity and comfort. But all of a sudden, the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) in Worcester on Millbrook Street is refusing to continue her care -- even though her insurance provider has approved her for hospice. This decision has left our family heartbroken and struggling to understand how this can happen. Hospice care was recommended by her doctors and has been a lifeline for both of my parents. My 75-year-old father has been caring for her around the clock, 24/7. The hospice services have been essential -- providing medical oversight, medications, supplies, and emotional support that made it possible for him to keep her safe and comfortable at home. Now, that help is being taken away without warning or compassion. When her hospice renewal was questioned, we appealed the decision, and the insurance company approved her continued hospice care. But when we notified the Worcester VNA, they told us she was only approved "on a technicality" and insisted we needed to submit another appeal. They even told us directly, "This time, you will not be approved." After the appeal was approved, the hospice social worker called my father and asked him to sign the discharge paperwork again, claiming that his signature did not appear on the original discharge form. That was completely false -- my father has a copy of the original paperwork, and his signature is clearly visible on it. We believe they were trying to get him to sign a new discharge form so they could kick my mother off hospice again and force us to go through yet another appeal. I also personally contacted the VNA and spoke with the manager to try to understand how they could refuse care for someone who has been on hospice for a year and is clearly in need. The manager was extremely rude, dismissive, and completely unsympathetic. When I tried to reason with her and explain my mother's condition, she hung up on me. We believe the real reason they are refusing to treat my mother is because she smokes, and they simply don't want to enter the home because of it. If that's true, it's unacceptable. Denying hospice care to a dying woman -- one who has been approved and receiving care for a year -- over something like that is discriminatory and cruel. No family should have to endure this. To be approved for hospice, then suddenly denied services, misled about paperwork, and treated without compassion, is inhumane. My parents deserve respect, honesty, and continued care -- not to be abandoned and deceived in their time of greatest need. read more

I was seeking short-term, post-surgical nursing assistance due to unplanned loss of planned home assistance following surgery. I was dealing with finding support to deal with post-op instructions while dealing with pain. This support was supported by my health insurance. VNA Care was recommended by three others (2 doctors, plus 1 friend who used them recently), and VNA Care was listed, approved and recommended by my health insurance provider. My critical needs involved bandage change from surgery, sling adjustment, plus several minor, non-critical activities related to post-op instructions. I was looking for 1-2 visits from a nurse, for specific assistance, with options to adjust as needed based on need. TOTALLY ineffective. Initial attempts to engage bordered on incompetence. Their phone system, and eventual people answering, were impossible to deal with. First calls were curt, unprofessional, and borderline rude. Second day of phone wrestling got a more courteous and understanding operator, possibly with some medical training to apply judgment. But I was handed off to "Admissions" and then to the person my case was referred to--no answer/left messages. My surgeon's office faxed a referral twice, with fax receipts for both. They eventually found the referral (4th or 5th call on day 3). By the time I got a call from someone, it was a Physical Therapist looking to schedule physical therapy--not a nurse. My surgeon's office did not request physical therapy one day after surgery. With the clock ticking, the urgency of getting the bandage change directed me to an alternative approaches. While the nursing care might have been as capable and caring as referred to me, this firm is not prepared to deal with any kind of urgent or unplanned support. My experience left the perception that non-medically trained personnel handle their "Admissions" department. I do not recommend unless you're planning well in advance with at least 4-7 days planned for the "back and forth" repeated review of what you're seeking with someone who will apply medical understanding and judgment to see if they can provide the services you need. read more

This is the worst VNA we have ever dealt with. My mother was in a car accident 6 years ago and has had 11 surgeries on her leg. The additional surgeries were made necessary by dangerous infections. She was assigned to this company after the last few surgeries that happened all in a row. Her nurse has been consistently late. Not only without apology but arguing about it with my mother on the phone. My mother is supposed to have her blood drawn an hour before her IV antibiotics. This is due to the fact that an inappropriate dose could cause major complications. This has never happened on time and sometimes not at all. This "nurse" is rarely able to even do the blood draw. On many occasions we have had to go directly to the lab to have this done. Quite challenging since my mother was for a long time non weight bearing on her leg. She has tried to address this directly with the company but they have done nothing to ensure she gets the appropriate care. The support staff is pleasant and relays our messages but the manager often doesn't call back and when she does she is rude and refuses to assign a new nurse. This has been a long, difficult and painful journey for my mother. She finally had hope that she would be able to finally put this behind her. Each time her nurse is late, misses a blood draw or makes her late to get her medication they are putting her at risk for the infection to come back, to need additional surgery or worst case potentially even lose use of her leg. read more

I don't know what happened to the leadership in this place, but it may do with Atrius Health taking over a couple years back. All speculation on my side of course. In recent years the VNA's business practices, honesty and ethics have been questionable at best. The recently shut down of the daycare in the building that was in place since 1990 was a surprise. Without notice they announced they were closing, and until the community and local newspaper got involved and put pressure on them to give parents some notice, they were going to leave parents up the creek. They did stay open for a bit longer before closing for good, but did everything they could to make the staff and director uncomfortable. Definitely some bad blood upstairs in this building. Such a shame too, because it really used to be a great place and a fine community organization, but now everything is about sacrificing their employees for the bottom line. Their workers are miserable and as an organization you are only as good as your staff. read more

My 85 year old husband at first received PT from VNA . The young women they sent was wonderful, compassionate, kind and skillful. That being said when speaking with anyone else involved in his care was the most stressful experience I have been through. He took a turn for the worse on a Saturday so I called VNA for help and guidance. When I got a call back from triage I tried to explain my husband's situation I was told, very rudely " just tell me how he is right now I have other calls. No compassion, no empathy. Just the feeling that I was annoying her. A nurse come out a few hours later, she was very sweet, She took a quick look at him and basically said nothing she could do. She did kindly spoke to her supervisor and got back to me to let me know that hospice MAY come on Monday. so basically he could go to the hospital, not an option, or suffer until then. Luckily I work in the healthcare industry so I knew another way around it. What about those who don't. they are left hanging at one of the hardest times of their lives. There is a whole lot more I could say but. I would never use or recommend VNA. it was more stress than I needed. read more

Whatever you do don't go to this horrible place. They are slow and not helpful. I stood in line for over an hour and people that had appointments kepts being called even though I was there first. My daughter was annoyed and didn't want to wait any longer so I waited for no reason. Going to look into getting a new set of doctors because this place sucks. read more

My late mother, a terminal cancer patient, received "care" from this organization for a few weeks. They were unable to provide basic care. They were supposed to come out daily to attend to a wound; instead, they came out only twice a week. They never provided the PCA she was promised. Eventually, she complained to her health insurance case manager. They retaliated by telling her they would report her to elder services for being unable to manage her own care and put her in a nursing home of their choosing. She was a refugee and they terrorized her by telling her they'd take her forcibly from her home. I had to call the police to protect her. read more

Worst ever. If you have a loved one, please go elsewhere.....Lousy staff, wrong medications given & incorrect medications ordered. Instructed the family one way but then changed their position. Family left confused & with zero support. This was the 2nd time we used them. Primary doctor recomended again, so we agreed. Were not waiting for a 3rd time. Researched, called 4 organizations & hired the one we felt best about. But all 4 we called were far better then this outfit. I've filed a complaint with the Commonwealth & found out I was NOT the only one with serious issues. Unprofessional & disrespectful. Happy to see them leave. read more

Recently underwent my third joint replacement. I can't say enough about the quality care I received at home during my recovery. My nurse and therapist arrived the next day to assist me with not only my medical needs but also setting up my home to assist in my recovery. I was expected to be out of work for 6-8 weeks, but my wonderful surgical aftercare got me ready in less than a month. Thank you read more

I was recently in a car accident. VNA services came within a couple of days of being discharged from the hospital, and I was blown away by their services. I had never been hospitalized before, so going from the hospital to my house and having to care for myself after an accident was scary for me. They came in and were incredibly sweet, attentive, and professional. They went through every aspect of my injuries, assessed me head to toe, and made me feel so at ease! Not only did they send nurses, but they sent physical therapists, and will be sending me an occupational therapist within a few days to help work with me to get me better. Every staff member I have met has been amazing! read more

Rude, arrogant, and insulting. Big, impersonal, practice damage control, taking complaints "seriously", but not taking action on changing anything. Can only imagine how they treat their employees. Save yourself the grief. Many other Home Health agencies that may be smaller, but more personable. read more

Worst place ever , I had a lung surgery they came to see me twice and then after that they never came again . Very disappointed on how these people treated me being sick . I have been in pain and no of these nurses answer my calls read more

Worst VNA I have other dealt with. Left my mom hanging after hip replacement no communication for over 10 days! Corrupt! Shame on the entire company. Especially the Pts who did see her initially, who NEVER called back. She was still within the time she was to have had PT. Horrible. Shame on you all! read more

I don't even know what to say about VNA these days. The direct care staff are typically wonderful - nurses, PT and OT. Simply wonderful as always. Trying to get any support what so ever out of anything other than the normally scheduled visits scheduled to their convenience or outside regular 9a-5p Mon-Fri hours?? Good luck. Need help? Good luck. Need anyone to be proactive or helpful when you call in? Good luck. It feels very much like not only are they extremely disorganized but also that their eye is on the bottom line at all times before the health and well being of their patients. I feel like the level of help I got when calling in was akin to dealing with an Indian call center, tasked with not agreeing to anything that would cost them money. Not a feeling you want to have when dealing with seriously ill family members. read more

Pleasant nurses but I did not receive supplies until after 3 visits. After one visit, I had to clean up used supplies, etc. myself,

Some nurses are great and some are absolutely terrible. The nurses on week-ends except for one or two are the worst I have ever encountered. The management on week-ends in the Worcester office is terrible with one nurse named Sarah asking: "Why can't you do your own dressing changes?" One is on the back of my head and the other is in my groin. The doctor's order is that VNA should do the dressing changes. read more

They are good to patients because you pay them. The agencies treat their employees like dirt. They are full of prejudice and their hiring practices should be investigated for nepotism. They hire relatives that have different last names. They convince patients who are not of sound mind to give them access to their finances. They bill for excess hours and spend patients' money at pharmacies and grocery stores with excessive amounts for their own use. They can even get a will changed by convincing patients that they care for them more than their own families. Would never recommend them!!! read more

Awful care (actually lack of care). I just came across this review site, and am recounting my experiences of three years ago. I underwent replacement knee surgery and was prescribed Coumadin for six weeks following surgery. When on Coumadin, I needed to have my blood drawn twice a week to ensure I was receiving the correct dose. Since the surgery was done on my right knee, I was also prohibited from driving for six weeks after surgery. I should have known there would be problems with VNA Care the day after I got home from the hospital. I received a call from them to schedule a visit from the nurse that day. The only problem was that the nurse had already arrived and left. It was apparent that there was a significant communications gap in the organization. The first three visits from the visiting nurse were acceptable. On the date scheduled for my fourth visit, the visiting nurse called me to tell me I was being discharged. According to the nurse, insurance only covered three visits, and would not cover any more. The nurse also claimed that drawing blood for a Coumadin test was not a medical necessity, nor should it have been the responsibility of a visiting nurse. Considering that I was still unable to drive for another four weeks, and had no alternative means of getting to a lab to have my blood drawn, there was no way for me to get my Coumadin levels monitored. The nurse did nothing to ensure that I would receive any follow-up care, as required by my physician. I should also add that, a few hours after the nurse called to tell me I had been discharged, I received a call from VNA Care to ask me what time would be convenient for that day's appointment by a visiting nurse. The person calling was obviously unaware that the nurse had already discharged me. This was the second example of one hand in VNA Care not knowing what the second hand was doing. Finding the nurse's explanation about insurance only covering three visits hard to believe, I called the Coumadin Center of the hospital that performed my surgery and my insurance company to confirm the nurse's story. The hospital informed me that, contrary to the nurse's story, I was supposed to have a visiting nurse monitor my Coumadin levels until I was cleared to drive. My insurance company informed me that they initially cover three visits by a visiting nurse as a matter of course; if more visits are needed, the visiting nurse need only call to request more visits and they would be authorized. My insurance plan actually covered up to 80 visits per year, not the three that the VNA Care nurse mentioned. While on the phone with my insurance company, they immediately authorized four more visits, and stated that even more would be authorized if the visiting nurse called. I called the nurse back with the news. Initially I was told that visiting nurse visits would continue, and one was scheduled for the following Monday. When Monday arrived, and no nurse showed, I again called VNA Care. When I finally reached the nurse, she told me that no more visits could be arranged because she already discharged me. She could offer no satisfactory explanation as to why she discharged me prematurely without contacting the insurance company, nor could she offer a satisfactory explanation as to why she couldn't correct her error and resume visits. There was no consideration given as to how I was supposed to travel to a lab to get my blood drawn, as required. When I responded to her that my only option was to disregard my doctor's orders and drive myself, the nurse replied that she was not recommending that. But she did not offer any alternative action that I might take. I fully expected a visiting nurse organization to follow-through on my doctor's orders and to aid me in my convalescence. Instead of being able to comfortably rest during my recuperation, I found myself having to engage in an endless wild goose chase involving calls to the hospital, my insurance company, and VNA Care. I was not given a true explanation by VNA Care as to why my care was prematurely stopped, and as a result, had to waste more time and effort calling the hospital and my insurance company. Although I never received a satisfactory explanation from the VNA Care nurse, I can't help but suspect that somebody dropped the ball and neglected to contact my insurance company to arrange for more visits. Because VNA Care had already "discharged" me, it would have been an administrative problem to reinstate me, and nobody cared to make that effort. Because of VNA Care's poor follow-through and administrative incompetence, I had to suffer. To add to the audacity of VNA Care, not even eight months after this fiasco I received a solicitation in the mail to donate to them. Needless to say, they received no donation from me, and I have let everyone I know who needs a visiting nurse service to avoid VNA Care. read more

My 82 y/o father has been home for just under a week following three weeks of inpatient (post Spinal Surgery). So far, not ONE VNA provider has shown up on time or even called to inform us that they are running SEVERAL HOURS BEHIND. My Dad is a retired Trauma Surgeon; he ran a MASH Unit in Vietnam. I mention this NOT because he deserves different care from anyone else, but rather to point out that he has been in medicine for SIXTY YEARS now and has rarely come across such a lackadaisical and unprofessional operation. My family and I have done everything we can to adjust our work hours to fit in with the SCHEDULED visits from VNA clinicians, but their PERSISTENT TARDINESS (3 or more hours) has caused us to miss additional days at work, and for VNA staff visits to overlap one another and therefore be cut short. The only clinician who seems to respect our time is Emily, a VNA clinician who has been wonderful. read more

Terrible home care (revised see below). I got discharged by hospital for hip replacement and was given VNA Network as provider for nurse and PT care at home. For the past 3 visits, different people came in to talk to me. They spent most of the time doing intake. For the PT, they just repeated the exercise program the doctor gave me and provide no added value. To make it worse, I have to go by their ever changing schedule. I supposed to have a nurse come in today to remove the dressing. Instead the PT called and plan to come in instead. A different PT came yesterday and supposed to come again tomorrow. She will be the 4th person I will see. Very confusing and tiring. I am placing a complaint and am looking for a different provider. After placing a complaint with VNA management, it sent an experience nurse and PT to help me out. I am changing the rating from one to three as a result of this improvement. read more

VNABoston had every opportunity to better this situation, they have a written complaint,they were rude and hostile and violated HIPAA Law with regard to information. This was not once incident but several incidents where an Elder was neglected and endanger by their poor care. They ignored Responsible Party's concerns and did nothing to follow up on major reasons for concern. One event lead to an emergnecy room visit where cancer was found and it was an obvious problem. They never showed the least be of concern, never asked questions, never apologized, just did everything possible to make things difficult. Not recommended, rude house guest, poor medical help. The goal here seems to be to collect as much Medicare money as possible while doing the least and then discharge when it is believed that no more Medicare money is available. VNA Boston was to provide monitoring after a hospital stay. Without being too detailed their lack of skill, concern, follow up, caused a patient to finally be taken to hospital for emergency surgery for a cancer. The woman had all the signs and for weeks. The Symptoms were reported in VNA reports but no one did anything. So, this includes the doctor getting the reports and doing nothing, the VNA continuing to visit and taking no action as the situation worsen. Actually, mocking the woman in their records. Second situation an infection went untreated and anyone under the circumstances should have recognized the signs. Third situation, foolishly had them again, we were just learning the ways of those collecting medicare payment, they came out for check ups and physical therapy, PT did nothing. The guy thought we should be so grateful that he was there but all he did was type in his computer and track mud in the house. We did get a laugh at his reports, apparently he thinks he is a Doctor and copied long histories as his own, with some repeated wrong information and would then go on to diagnosis medical conditions. Very immature and unprofessional and the company seemed to be aware but did nothing. It was so difficult to get him replaced we fired the company. The company refused to provide medical records until we formally complained. In the process we had to speak with a number of their employees who knew very well to give up the records was going to put light on their poor services. Speaking with them was a nightmare, rude, played dumb, delayed and delayed. The next company sent a nurse who said she had worked for them, she complained about them too, but honestly she was just as bad, she missed a med error that we found. Run away. Do not leave them alone to care for a senior person. If your getting Medicare check the payments and the service dates. Then just for fun look at the thousands they collect. Really won't you rather just go to real Doctor for a true checkup. A Doctor would have an 4 yr Undergraduate Degree, a Medical Degree 3 yrs, Internship 1 to 5 yrs, and have passed all the exams to be admitted and hold a license. A nurse 10 mths training PN to 20 mths training RN, not the same thing no matter what they think. Hospitals use Visiting Nurses to dump patients out early and pass the care buck. Look at the cost, there really isn't a savings, often re-admittance to the hospital and unfortunately poor care. read more

We have dealt with the VNA of Boston starting 4 weeks ago. We have nothing but great things to say about them. From the minute we called them, they have been nothing but very nice and caring. They have gone far above their duties, including showing up on their days off, and calling us back with information when we thought they were finished with their job. The visiting nurse ( Nancy G ) has been great with my father. She has been tough, but it is just what he needed. Debbie his regular nurse has also been strict with him, but has a great impact on him. The physical therapist also has been fantastic. Simone has given me resources that I never knew existed. Shout out to all of you! Very glad we chose you to take care of my dad. Lisa King referred us to you! Would recommend you without hesitation!!! read more