Visiting Nurses
PROGRAMS
OUR PROGRAMS
Old Lyme Visiting Nurses Association has many programs supplementing our core Mission:
OFFICE CONSULTATIONS and HOME VISITS
Prior to the Covid-19 shutdown, the Town Nurse held office hours at the Lymes’ Senior Center five days a week: Monday through Thursday from 11 AM to 1 PM, and Friday from noon to 1 PM. She was available for walk-ins during these times, with no appointment necessary. At present the Senior Center remains closed, and will reopen only when permitted under Connecticut government guidelines.
The Town Nurse does, however, continue to provide preventive home visits to residents of Lyme or Old Lyme, along with phone consultations for those reluctant to have visitors in their home. The OLVNA also coordinates with the Visiting Nurse Association of Southeastern Connecticut to provide skilled nursing and other professional health services to patients at home who are willing to have house visits.
FLU and WELLNESS CLINIC
Until 2020, the Lymes’ Senior Center the OLVNA provided free influenza immunizations for Lyme and Old Lyme residents every fall. This event was held in conjunction with physician and other medical professional screenings, blood pressure checks, and dietician and nurse consultations; free literature, samples, and home test kits were distributed. This year the event was staged as a drive-thru clinic at the Lyme-Old Lyme High School.
MASK DISTRIBUTION
In the summer of 2020, the OLVNA distributed masks at two drive-thru events: at the Presidential primary and at the Lymes’ Senior Center Fiesta Parade. We also contributed masks to the Drug Takeback event in October and made donations to the Social Service bureaus in Lyme and Old Lyme.
FOOD NEEDS
Since 2004 the OLVNA has operated a discretionary fund that assists three local emergency programs to help people who have immediate food needs. Each fall the OLVNA supplements the food banks operated by Lyme’s and Old Lyme’s Social Services offices and the Lymes’ Senior Center.
CARING for YOUTH
In the spring we offer blood pressure readings for students, faculty, and staff at the Lyme-Old Lyme High School. The clinic is held in the school cafeteria during lunch periods. Handouts concerning blood pressure, including materials for sharing with parents, are provided.
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
Two types of awards are made annually. The OLVNA provides scholarships to graduating students from Old Lyme or Lyme who plan to pursue an advanced degree in a health care field. In addition, on behalf of the Mary Hubbard Noyes Memorial Fund—named in honor of a longtime Town Nurse—we provide nursing scholarships.
