VNA Health Care Survey

 

September 8, 2010

Prepared by: Stephen R. Pelletier, Ph.D.

 

Executive Summary

  • Respondents who have used VNA services rate their experience very highly; more than two-thirds say their experience with VNA services was “excellent.” Moreover, the ratings of VNA services given by those with first-hand experience with VNA are much better than the ratings of non-VNA services given by those who have used these services.  In particular, those who have used VNA services are much more likely than those who have used non-VNA ones to say that their experience was “excellent.”
  • More than two-thirds of all survey respondents – those who have used VNA services and those who have not – say that VNA Home Health Care, VNA Hospice, and VNA Meals on Wheels are “very good” or “excellent” programs.  This is true even with respondents who are only familiar with Meals on Wheels.  More than two-thirds of all respondents say they really don’t know much about VNA Home Health Care or VNA Hospice.
  • The survey suggests strongly that there are significant “good feelings” towards VNA, even among those who have not used VNA services.  These “good feelings” may be at the root of respondents’ high ratings of programs with which they are not very familiar (see previous bullet) and may also explain the large majorities who say they would turn to VNA for information about managing a chronic disease or condition, end of life/hospice care, or for private duty nursing or attendant care.  Those with first-hand experience with VNA services are only slightly more likely than those with no experience at all to say they would turn to VNA for information or assistance.
  • Most respondents tell us that their greatest future healthcare concern is not being able to live independently.  This concern is more prevalent than concerns with healthcare/health insurance cost or worries about specific diseases or chronic conditions.
  • Not surprisingly, most respondents tell us they turn to their own physician to find out information about healthcare and home health care options available to them.  Family and friends are also critical sources of information, as is the Internet.  However, this research shows quite clearly that Internet usage is more prevalent among younger respondents.
  • By a large margin, most respondents would like to receive information about VNA through the mail.  Electronic means (the website and email) are preferred by more than one-third of respondents, but again, these tend to be younger.