Ronald Osborne of Marshall is a retired beekeeper who was recently helped by what he terms, “the superb, caring nurses from Borgess VNA Home Health & Hospice (BVNH).”

“I was almost helpless when I came home from having heart surgery recently at Borgess,” Osborne relates. “It was frustrating, but the nurses not only provided the essential in-home health care, they went the extra mile, suggesting special support modifications to my furniture. The nurses also explained how to retrofit my bathroom and the steps into my home for safety.” Prior to his surgery, Ron had fallen several times while he was alone, and the BVNH total team effort has now helped alleviate his fears.

Ron was always an active outdoorsman but his chronic health issues, including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular issues have curtailed his hunting and fishing expeditions in recent years. At age 75, he is now more into passive reading of scientifically-based magazines to keep his mind alert, plus he is a sought-after consultant for his almost 40 years of experience as a large-scale beekeeper in Michigan. He knows the vital interconnectedness of a community – from years of watching the cooperative nature of his hives.

After his recovery, Ron was inspired to make a donation to help keep BVNH services available to everyone who needs them. “I’ve always been service-oriented through my ownership of local businesses in Marshall along with active membership in clubs and organizations, so I know the importance of fundraising for non profits and not-for-profit entities such as BVNH,” Ron adds.

Over 4,000 families received care from Borgess VNA Home Health & Hospice in 2008. BVNH is the oldest provider of home health care in southwest Michigan, serving the counties of Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Van Buren. We provide these services to anyone in our community, regardless of their financial or insurance status. That’s why we need and appreciate your help - and the help of grateful patients like Ron.

Along with specialty nursing care, Borgess also provides hospice services - a network of skilled care and encouragement that allows each person to enjoy quality of life at the end of their life. 24 hours a day, seven days per week, our team of highly trained professionals and volunteers provide medical, emotional, psychological and spiritual help to the terminally ill. In addition, bereavement counselors, spiritual care and an ongoing support group are all available to help ease the transition for grieving families when their loved one dies.

“I cannot say enough good things about the care I received from everyone at Borgess,” Ron says. “From my top-notch cardiologist, Dr. Stephen Peck all the way through to my two months of in-home care following my discharge from Borgess Medical Center, it was all well-coordinated, right down to physical therapy and monitoring my blood pressure. The nurses took the time to get to know me and provided the type of care that was compassionate, not condescending. During the home visits from BVNH, they would take extra time to help me with my range of motion exercises and provide practical advice on daily living skills. The little things meant so much, like one of the nurses telling me about a knife that would make it easier for me to cut my food now that my hands are swollen from arthritis. They really cared about me and my quality of life.”

When you give to Borgess, you are making an investment in the healthcare future of our community. We are proud to report that 94% of every dollar goes directly to support patient care services. A tax-deductible gift to the Borgess Foundation to support Borgess VNA Home Health & Hospice will help us continue to provide compassionate, quality, innovative and cost-effective home care, hospice and related health services for you, your family and your neighbors.