Home care provider founded in 1900 closing, cites money woes

One of Rhode Island's oldest home care and hospice providers is shutting down because of financial problems.

The Visiting Nurses Association of Rhode Island was founded in 1900 and announced Wednesday it will close by the end of the year. The Warwick-based agency hasn't disclosed details of its financial problems.

The VNA has about 80 employees and serves about 250 patients, who will be transferred to the Visiting Nurse Home and Hospice in Portsmouth.

State Department of Health spokesman Joseph Wendelken says the department will help oversee the transition process.

The announcement follows the August shutdown of Homefront Health Care, which served more than 450 home-bound Rhode Island residents.

Democratic state Rep. Patricia Serpa says lawmakers need to take action to help keep home care services running.