Visiting Nurse Association of the Treasure Coast embraces community with continuum of care

Home is where most of life happens, and that is exactly where Visiting Nurse Association of the Treasure Coast focuses its services, embracing the residents of Indian River County with a continuum of innovative, compassionate care for young and old. The goal is simple: helping patients experience optimal quality of life, preferably in the comfort of familiar surroundings.

The nonprofit that began as a two-person team offering home health care in 1975 has grown to a staff of 500 professionals passionate about helping patients through services that, in addition to home healthcare, now also include hospice, private care and community health services. What VNA of the Treasure Coast offers is unique in the county and beyond, for the agency also provides private care in Brevard County.

“As the only organization offering this suite of services in Indian River County, we take pride in ensuring that our patients transition seamlessly from one service line to another,” said Lundy Fields, president and CEO.

Patients and their families can access VNA services regardless of income, regardless of age.

“There is no minimum or a maximum,” said Suzanne Gallagher, director of marketing.

“We’re also nonprofit. We prioritize community service and patient care, unlike for-profits, which have to generate revenue for the company.”

The organization’s flagship service, home health care, allows patients to heal in the best place for them.

“It’s so much better to recover at home,” Gallagher said. 

The service is geared towards patients who need short-term care after a hospital stay or for those who necessitate long-term assistance with issues such as COPD, diabetes, cancer and heart disease.

“We help patients stay out of the hospital as much as possible, because, let’s face it, nobody enjoys being in a hospital,” Gallagher said.

VNA’s talented home health team tailors every patient’s plan of care to their specific needs. 

VNA Private Care services, designed for people who want to remain living life on their own terms, provide the support needed for patients to stay safe, comfortable and independent.

Home health aides and CNAs under the supervision of a nurse and medical director, help patients with the daily routine of life, including bathing and personal hygiene, medication reminders, meal preparations, light housekeeping, transportation to appointments and respite care for caregivers.

“It is also very reassuring for family members who cannot be there every day to know their loved one is receiving excellent care,” Gallagher said.

As a contracted provider with the Veterans Administration, VNA provides supportive services to veterans to keep them at home and out of long-term care facilities. 

“There are still misconceptions about hospice,” Gallagher said. “People don’t realize that it can help extend life and provide better quality of life at that stage and do so for an extended period.”

Hospice is not about end-of-life care, but rather about living life as much as possible, about treating the person, not the disease. Hospice care offers individuals with life-limiting illnesses the peace of mind that quality of life is the focus of their care. Medical, emotional and spiritual support helps those facing serious illnesses live their lives to the fullest and without pain.

Because hospice is focused on living, people who utilize hospice services earlier have more time to discuss goals and create an optimal plan of care designed around their wishes.

“We have had patients who have been hospice patients for years,” Gallagher said.

Hospice care is available at home or, for patients whose symptoms cannot be managed outside a medical setting, at VNA’s Hospice House, a 12,000-square-foot facility featuring 12 private, beautifully appointed patient rooms with private lanais overlooking lush gardens and sleeping accommodations for overnight visitors. The 24/7 facility was made possible by generous philanthropic support, which also provides funding for VNA’s Community Health Services.

Because good health is shaped not just by medical care but also by accessibility, VNA of the Treasure Coast brings care into the community, filling in gaps for families who may not have insurance, transportation or a routine primary provider.

VNA’s walk-in Mobile Health Clinic reaches neighborhoods throughout the county so residents can easily access routine health care for issues such as colds, urinary tract infections, sore throats and scrapes. Made possible by generous support from the Indian River County Hospital District and private donations through the VNA & Hospice Foundation, VNA’s Community Health Services team is dedicated to improving health outcomes across Indian River County with essential screenings for issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes and more, plus school physicals and health education, all within walking distance.

“It’s a vital service for our community,” Gallagher said.

Serving the general population, vulnerable residents, and senior living communities, this initiative is integral to promoting wellness, preventing disease and managing chronic health conditions. 

“We meet people where they are,” Gallagher said.

Indeed, meeting people where they live and where they’re at in their journey of life — and doing so with the highest level of care — has always been the mission of the Visiting Nurse Association of the Treasure Coast.

“Helping others is an honor, and all that really matters,” Fields said.

For more information, visit vnatc.com or call 772.567.5551.

See original article in print publication

May. 2026