DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a volunteer visiting nurse. Recently, upon cleaning out my desk I came across a memo I had been sent. I know it is rather old but thought you would like to read it, as it holds you in high regard. Thanks for your vote of confidence and support!
“Cheers from all of us at the Central Coast Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice! I’ve sent the following to about 75 of our donors, board members and friends. It has also gone out to each of 300+ VNA staff.
The dedicated staffs of all VNAs rarely get the pat-on-the-back they deserve. We are the only nonprofit VNA serving nearly 5000 square miles with lots of ranches, back roads and Dr. Gott readers.
Memo: Did you happen to read the nationally-syndicated “Ask Dr. Gott” column the other day? In answer to a reader’s question, he says, in part, ‘Most communities have a visiting nurse association that can supply nursing care, free in-home volunteers, hospice treatment for palliative care, social service input and help with methods to reduce or waive the costs of prescription medications, among other services. Check with your local VNA. You may be surprised at the extent these organizations can assist the need. In many instances, the VNAs perform astonishing levels of home care because their staffs are composed of truly dedicated professionals. I cannot credit them enough, and I thank them heartily for serving every elderly patient that I have referred to them.’”
DEAR READER:
Those, are indeed, some of my words. I have written several times in the past about the value and under-appreciation of visiting nurses. Nurses in general get the short end of deal. They are often the ones caring for the patients but don’t get the respect they deserve simply because they don’t have an MD after their names.
In my experience, nurses know just as much as doctors, not because they were taught about it in school, but because they see it first hand. Nurses, and especially volunteer visiting nurses, are an invaluable source of knowledge, know-how and caring.
Over the years, I personally have referred, perhaps hundreds, of individuals to local visiting nurse associations. Their services are incomparable!
Thanks for sending this to me. I am printing the memo/letter as a reminder to all about the great service visiting nurses provide to communities, both small and large.
About Dr. Gott