Douglas County commissioners on Monday commended the board and staff of the Visiting Nurses Assn. for their efforts to make the organization financially stable.

Visiting Nurses, which provides services to the homebound elderly, was running at a loss of about $257,000 at the end of last year. Group members requested some additional funds from the county to help bail out the struggling agency. Almost a year later, VNA leaders have estimated they will end 2005 with about $106,300.

The organization eliminated staff and programs, hired a consultant and a new executive director. The new director, Judith Bellome, began work in August.

Visiting Nurses Assn. serves more than 100 patients.