EXTRAORDINARY "I would have been lost without them. Absolutely lost."

Hi. My name is Lorene.

"I've lived in Southern California all my life, but a recent health issue brought me in touch with Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care of Santa Barbara. And I'm so glad.

I had an intestinal problem that landed me in Cottage Hospital. It was actually my Doctor there, Dr. Bentley -- who recommended VNHC. Shortly after I was discharged, they called, then came to my home.

Candy and Lorene share one of many happy memories.

I'm SO glad they did . . . as their help has been extraordinary!

They've helped me in so MANY ways . . . first, coming to do a medical assessment, where it was clear that I needed help in several areas having to do with simple living, caring for myself, and getting back to normal.

A wonderful Physical Therapist, Kathy, gave me exercises to do -- right in bed -- to strengthen my leg muscles. She stayed right with me and showed me how to do these exercises on my own. She also worked with me on walking and on going up and down stairs.

Then Kathy noticed that my chair was lowo. It was comfortable, but hard to get out of once I was in. So from their Loan Closet came an "UPlift" device -- that gives me enough "spring" to get OUT of my chair more easily. Now I can't remember what I did without it!

My new UPlift!

One of the most important things Kathy brought was an attachment for my commode -- with arms on it -- which just makes everything so much easier!

Then came Candy -- one of the most important people in my life -- an Occupational Therapist -- and what a help she's been to me! Candy helped me gain the confidence I needed to shower, and do more things for myself that I never imagined I could do again!

She referred me to a specialist who measured my shower. He installed two bars at just the right height -- a horizontal one and a vertical one. They make me feel so much safer and more confident when I'm in the shower.

My shower bars!

Candy also showed me a couple of tools (also from the Loan Closet) to help me dress. The sock aid makes it SO much easier to put on my socks or stockings. Just by positioning the sock around the end of a rigid form, I can put my toe in -- and just pull it up.

Reaching for things is easier too, with an actual reach extender. It has a grabber at the end, so I can "grab" things by tightening the grip. So from where I sit, I can reach so many things now that I used to have to actually get up to be able to reach.

A social worker, Erica, came and got the ball rolling on several other things she felt I needed. She arranged for a volunteer to come once a week to help me get out a little. He's been so kind. One week he took me down to Ventura, where I visited the neighborhood where I grew up. And on another trip, we went to a wonderful bookstore in Ojai, where I looked all around and bought several books to bring home with me.

Reach extender

This man has been wonderful - a fine gentleman. Because Santa Barbara is such a paradise, getting out and around means a lot to me.

Erica had also noticed that the termites had done a job on a part of my roof. So she referred me to a community program that provided a carpenter to check the damage to see if it could be repaired.

I'm just such a lucky person -- so grateful. I truly appreciate the help from VNHC. They've been so kind to me - and considerate of my comfort. My feelings are so intense about what they've done, it's really hard to explain."