Visiting Nurse / Hospice Atlanta Blogs

Don’t stop at the retirement plan. Consider end-of-life too.

By: Norene Mostkoff, President & CEO

A remarkable news story caught my attention: David Goodall, a 104-year-old scientist, is flying from Australia to Switzerland so that he can end his life. Every time I see a case like this it gives me pause.

Frankly, it doesn’t matter to me which side of the debate you are on—either taking your life is wrong or each person should have the right to die as they choose. I would prefer to change the focus of the discussion. We should be talking about why we fail to prepare and educate ourselves about end-of-life. Do we know the options? Are the right services and support available in our communities?

I often ask people, did they plan for the birth of their child, and did they plan for their retirement. Most people answer, of course they have a plan. They know which hospital they will go to for delivery. They know that they need to save for their retirement. But ask if they have an end-of-life plan and I either get blank stares or surprise that they would need one. Our physicians and our social services need to help each of us have a sound end-of-life plan that is right for us. In 2016, the federal government, specifically the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), made a huge step to help make this plan happen when it authorized paying physicians to have these conversations with beneficiaries.

How to begin assessing your plan

When making an end-of-life plan I think it is important to think about the following:

  1. 1. When do I want comfort care?
  2. 2. Where do I want to live?
  3. 3. How will I get services I need?
  4. 4. What do I want in my advance directive?
  5. 5. Who will make decisions for me when I can no longer make my own decisions?

Too often, these decisions are made during a crisis. Make a plan now when you don’t need it and be sure to review it every year. If you know your options, you can make informed decisions.

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Thank you Mutual of America for a great time celebrating our mission, Healthcare Champions, and new friends of Visiting Nurse at Mercedes Stadium.

#visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta #communityfirst

Thank you Mutual of America for a great time celebrating our mission, Healthcare Champions, and new friends of Visiting Nurse at Mercedes Stadium.

#visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta #communityfirst
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We had a great time celebrating OT month, culminating this week with our 2025 Home Health OT Breakfast! 
Thank you OTs for all you do!

#OTMonth #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta #teamworkmakesthedreamwork❤️

We had a great time celebrating OT month, culminating this week with our 2025 Home Health OT Breakfast!
Thank you OTs for all you do!

#OTMonth #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta #teamworkmakesthedreamwork❤️
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Space Is Still Available - Sign Up Today!

Join us for our 3rd Annual Resilience Event on May 17th, 2025.

This FREE event is designed to support those on the grief journey.
Participants will have the opportunity to:
• Hear from others who understand the grief journey.
• Engage in grief break-out groups for shared support.
• Receive tangible tools to cope with loss and grief.
Together, we can build resilience and support each other through grief. Registration Required.

#hospiceatlanta #visitingnursehealthsystem #grief

Space Is Still Available - Sign Up Today!

Join us for our 3rd Annual Resilience Event on May 17th, 2025.

This FREE event is designed to support those on the grief journey.
Participants will have the opportunity to:
• Hear from others who understand the grief journey.
• Engage in grief break-out groups for shared support.
• Receive tangible tools to cope with loss and grief.
Together, we can build resilience and support each other through grief. Registration Required.

#hospiceatlanta #visitingnursehealthsystem #grief
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As we continue to celebrate our volunteers during National Volunteer Appreciation Week & Month, enjoy this message from one of our longtime volunteers and supporters sharing on why folks volunteer!

Barry gives to our community donating his time and talent in many ways impacting many around the globe, including helping individuals on their grief journey through TGBeyond! Thank you for all you do Barry!

#volunteer #volunteerappreciation #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta #TGBeyond

As we continue to celebrate our volunteers during National Volunteer Appreciation Week & Month, enjoy this message from one of our longtime volunteers and supporters sharing on why folks volunteer!

Barry gives to our community donating his time and talent in many ways impacting many around the globe, including helping individuals on their grief journey through TGBeyond! Thank you for all you do Barry!

#volunteer #volunteerappreciation #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta #TGBeyond
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Thank you to all of our Administrative Support Professionals! Celebrating you this week, this month and ALWAYS! You're support is second to none, we're grateful for all you do! #support #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta

Thank you to all of our Administrative Support Professionals! Celebrating you this week, this month and ALWAYS! You`re support is second to none, we`re grateful for all you do! #support #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta ...

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Go Hawks Beat the Heat Tonight! 

Visiting Nurse | Hospice Atlanta celebrates the Hawks players, organization and Foundation for all they do to support our Atlanta community! 
Here are some Visiting Nurse | Hospice Atlanta employees and their loved ones, cheering on the Hawks last weekend! 
Good luck tonight taking on the Miami Heat!
#GoHawks #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta

Go Hawks Beat the Heat Tonight!

Visiting Nurse | Hospice Atlanta celebrates the Hawks players, organization and Foundation for all they do to support our Atlanta community!
Here are some Visiting Nurse | Hospice Atlanta employees and their loved ones, cheering on the Hawks last weekend!
Good luck tonight taking on the Miami Heat!
#GoHawks #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta
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We’re proud to share our President and CEO, Dorothy Davis, joined other Georgia healthcare leaders this week in Washington DC, gathering April 9 for LeadingAge Lobby Day. 
The team meet with both Republican and Democratic representatives to ensure healthcare and choice remain an option for seniors. 
As Visiting Nurse began over 76 years ago, our mission is to improve the lives of those we serve, and we carried the voices of our patients and caregivers to the Georgia representatives. 
We honor this dedicated team of healthcare leaders (Ginny Helms, Deke Cateau, Chris Keysor, Karon Nixon) committed to work in connection directly with local and federal policymakers, to continue helping to drive meaningful change and create a more equitable healthcare system for all. Thank you to these strong leaders, for their unwavering dedication and for being a voice for those who need it most. 
#HealthcareEquality #Advocacy #Leadership #MakingADifference #leadingage #washington #visitingnursehealthsystem

We’re proud to share our President and CEO, Dorothy Davis, joined other Georgia healthcare leaders this week in Washington DC, gathering April 9 for LeadingAge Lobby Day.
The team meet with both Republican and Democratic representatives to ensure healthcare and choice remain an option for seniors.
As Visiting Nurse began over 76 years ago, our mission is to improve the lives of those we serve, and we carried the voices of our patients and caregivers to the Georgia representatives.
We honor this dedicated team of healthcare leaders (Ginny Helms, Deke Cateau, Chris Keysor, Karon Nixon) committed to work in connection directly with local and federal policymakers, to continue helping to drive meaningful change and create a more equitable healthcare system for all. Thank you to these strong leaders, for their unwavering dedication and for being a voice for those who need it most.
#HealthcareEquality #Advocacy #Leadership #MakingADifference #leadingage #washington #visitingnursehealthsystem
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Visiting Nurse Health System is proud to announce that Jacqueline Ralph-Blair was recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of the Leading Women for 2025. This prestigious recognition program acknowledges and honors women executives from all sectors of the healthcare industry for their contributions to care delivery improvement, health equity, policy and gender equity in healthcare leadership. Congratulations Jacqueline!

Please join us in congratulation Jacqueline and enjoy the full press release on our website www.vnhs.org

Visiting Nurse Health System is proud to announce that Jacqueline Ralph-Blair was recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of the Leading Women for 2025. This prestigious recognition program acknowledges and honors women executives from all sectors of the healthcare industry for their contributions to care delivery improvement, health equity, policy and gender equity in healthcare leadership. Congratulations Jacqueline!

Please join us in congratulation Jacqueline and enjoy the full press release on our website www.vnhs.org
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We are thrilled to announce that Regina Ramsey-Dockett has been named Employee of the Month for April 2025! 🎉

Regina's dedication, innovation, and exceptional teamwork have not only driven her success but have also inspired those around her. Her commitment to excellence and her ability to lead with passion have been instrumental to Visiting Nurse for over a decade now!

Please join us in congratulating Regina on this well-deserved recognition. Regina, we are so grateful you choose Visiting Nurse each day! #EmployeeOfTheMonth #TeamSuccess #Congratulations

We are thrilled to announce that Regina Ramsey-Dockett has been named Employee of the Month for April 2025! 🎉

Regina`s dedication, innovation, and exceptional teamwork have not only driven her success but have also inspired those around her. Her commitment to excellence and her ability to lead with passion have been instrumental to Visiting Nurse for over a decade now!

Please join us in congratulating Regina on this well-deserved recognition. Regina, we are so grateful you choose Visiting Nurse each day! #EmployeeOfTheMonth #TeamSuccess #Congratulations
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Great kick off to the first day of the 2025 LeadingAge Georgia Annual Conference! 
This year's theme is "Ripples of Impact," as Georgia's leaders converge to discover new solutions, empower members to make a rippling impact to Georgia's seniors, families, and communities!
Meet LeadingAge Georgia Leaders: Ginny Helms, President & CEO LeadingAge Georgia, and Dorothy Davis, our Visiting Nurse|Hospice Atlanta President & CEO who is LeadingAge Georgia Board Chair, and LeadingAge National Policy Team Member.
#leadingagegeorgia2025#visitingnursehealthsystem#hospiceatlanta#2025Conference #seniors

Great kick off to the first day of the 2025 LeadingAge Georgia Annual Conference!
This year`s theme is "Ripples of Impact," as Georgia`s leaders converge to discover new solutions, empower members to make a rippling impact to Georgia`s seniors, families, and communities!
Meet LeadingAge Georgia Leaders: Ginny Helms, President & CEO LeadingAge Georgia, and Dorothy Davis, our Visiting Nurse|Hospice Atlanta President & CEO who is LeadingAge Georgia Board Chair, and LeadingAge National Policy Team Member.
#leadingagegeorgia2025#visitingnursehealthsystem#hospiceatlanta#2025Conference #seniors
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