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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Can you imagine living your life's passion and service, like Janet, fulfilling you so that you choose to give 18 years here at Visiting Nurse Home Health? #grateful #inspired #OTLife #fun #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta

Can you imagine living your life`s passion and service, like Janet, fulfilling you so that you choose to give 18 years here at Visiting Nurse Home Health? #grateful #inspired #OTLife #fun #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta ...

Happy Physical Therapy Month! VNHS PTs, Your Leaders give gratitude for all you do each day, to keep our patients moving!

Happy Physical Therapy Month! VNHS PTs, Your Leaders give gratitude for all you do each day, to keep our patients moving! ...

PT Month Celebration 2024!
PTs had fun Fowling! 
Thank you to the team at Fowling Warehouse for a great event last night! 
#goptpower #PTMonth #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta #fun #fowling

PT Month Celebration 2024!
PTs had fun Fowling!
Thank you to the team at Fowling Warehouse for a great event last night!
#goptpower #PTMonth #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta #fun #fowling
...

Our Home Health and Hospice Atlanta teams had a great time at this week's 2024 Home Care and Hospice Conference and Expo, hosted by the National Alliance for Care at Home!

So many of this industry's leaders were in attendance, Visiting Nurse front and center, so we remain on the cutting edge of industry learnings surrounding healthcare challenges. From new innovations, regulatory moves, technology shifts, to learning advances in quality of care, all to continue bringing our patients the best care possible! 
#nach2024 #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta#growth #HealthcareForAll

Our Home Health and Hospice Atlanta teams had a great time at this week`s 2024 Home Care and Hospice Conference and Expo, hosted by the National Alliance for Care at Home!

So many of this industry`s leaders were in attendance, Visiting Nurse front and center, so we remain on the cutting edge of industry learnings surrounding healthcare challenges. From new innovations, regulatory moves, technology shifts, to learning advances in quality of care, all to continue bringing our patients the best care possible!
#nach2024 #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta#growth #HealthcareForAll
...

Join us in celebrating Bonnie Tackett-Brown, LPN, our Visiting Nurse Health System’s October Employee of the Month!
Bonnie was awarded this honor for her patient-centered, mission-driven approach to her nursing service here at Visiting Nurse's Home Health service line. Bonnie naturally goes above and beyond the normal call of duty, as she serves our patients and their needs. But her vocational-driven style doesn't end there! She also supports her teammates when they need nursing help she is first to say “yes,” with a generous attitude. 
Thank you Bonnie for all you give each day! 
#Congratulations #EmployeeAppreciation #employeeofthemonth #hospiceatlanta #visitingnursehealthsystem

Join us in celebrating Bonnie Tackett-Brown, LPN, our Visiting Nurse Health System’s October Employee of the Month!
Bonnie was awarded this honor for her patient-centered, mission-driven approach to her nursing service here at Visiting Nurse`s Home Health service line. Bonnie naturally goes above and beyond the normal call of duty, as she serves our patients and their needs. But her vocational-driven style doesn`t end there! She also supports her teammates when they need nursing help she is first to say “yes,” with a generous attitude.
Thank you Bonnie for all you give each day!
#Congratulations #EmployeeAppreciation #employeeofthemonth #hospiceatlanta #visitingnursehealthsystem
...

🎉 Happy Physical Therapy Month! 🎉
October 2024 is here, and it's time to celebrate the incredible work of our Visiting Nurse physical therapists who bring PT services to our patients in the comfort of their homes! When our patients are healing, at their most vulnerable, these dedicated clinicians help our patients move better, feel stronger, and live healthier lives. Let's give a big shoutout to all the PTs who keep us going! ✨ #PTMonth #PhysicalTherapy #ThankYouPTs #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta

🎉 Happy Physical Therapy Month! 🎉
October 2024 is here, and it`s time to celebrate the incredible work of our Visiting Nurse physical therapists who bring PT services to our patients in the comfort of their homes! When our patients are healing, at their most vulnerable, these dedicated clinicians help our patients move better, feel stronger, and live healthier lives. Let`s give a big shoutout to all the PTs who keep us going! ✨ #PTMonth #PhysicalTherapy #ThankYouPTs #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta
...

🎉 Celebrating 75 Years of Dedicated Employees! 🎉
Last night we culminated our 75th Anniversary year with our momentous 75th Anniversary Employee Celebration at The Roof & Skyline Park at Ponce City Market! Definitely an event to remember! Thank you to our employees who came out with their families, and our amazing Volunteers that helped make this event happen for employees to have some fun!🌟
A huge thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey. Here’s to many more years of patient care and partnership! 🥂✨ #AnniversaryCelebration #CompanyMilestone #WorkFamily #75YearsStrong

🎉 Celebrating 75 Years of Dedicated Employees! 🎉
Last night we culminated our 75th Anniversary year with our momentous 75th Anniversary Employee Celebration at The Roof & Skyline Park at Ponce City Market! Definitely an event to remember! Thank you to our employees who came out with their families, and our amazing Volunteers that helped make this event happen for employees to have some fun!🌟
A huge thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey. Here’s to many more years of patient care and partnership! 🥂✨ #AnniversaryCelebration #CompanyMilestone #WorkFamily #75YearsStrong
...

We are proud to announce Brittany Arnett, our Hospice Atlanta Director of Clinical Operations, South, has been named the Hospice News' 2024 Future Leaders Award Winner! 
This prestigious award program is sponsored by Homecare Homebase, and is designed to recognize up-and-coming industry members who are shaping the next decade of home health, hospice, senior housing, skilled nursing, and behavioral health.

Brittany’s award was announced in prominent industry news publication Hospice News, and below is the link to the article, where you can read her interview statements. 

This award is quite reflective of Brittany’s dedication, leadership, and her willingness to step in and take care of her team’s and patients’ needs, as a patient-minded leader!

Congratulations Brittany and thank you for all you do for our patients, our employees, and how much passion and heart you bring to work each day. 

Link to the Hospice News article, featuring Brittany! 
https://hospicenews.com/2024/09/13/future-leaders-brittany-arnett-director-of-clinical-operations-visiting-nurse-health-system-hospice-atlanta/

We are proud to announce Brittany Arnett, our Hospice Atlanta Director of Clinical Operations, South, has been named the Hospice News` 2024 Future Leaders Award Winner!
This prestigious award program is sponsored by Homecare Homebase, and is designed to recognize up-and-coming industry members who are shaping the next decade of home health, hospice, senior housing, skilled nursing, and behavioral health.

Brittany’s award was announced in prominent industry news publication Hospice News, and below is the link to the article, where you can read her interview statements.

This award is quite reflective of Brittany’s dedication, leadership, and her willingness to step in and take care of her team’s and patients’ needs, as a patient-minded leader!

Congratulations Brittany and thank you for all you do for our patients, our employees, and how much passion and heart you bring to work each day.

Link to the Hospice News article, featuring Brittany!
https://hospicenews.com/2024/09/13/future-leaders-brittany-arnett-director-of-clinical-operations-visiting-nurse-health-system-hospice-atlanta/
...

🌟 Employee of the Month: September 2024 🌟
We are thrilled to announce that our Employee of the Month for September is none other than Ms. April Stepp! 🎉
Please help us celebrate all that April offers to our hospice patients! #EmployeeOfTheMonth #Teamwork #Excellence #Recognition #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta

🌟 Employee of the Month: September 2024 🌟
We are thrilled to announce that our Employee of the Month for September is none other than Ms. April Stepp! 🎉
Please help us celebrate all that April offers to our hospice patients! #EmployeeOfTheMonth #Teamwork #Excellence #Recognition #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta
...

Happy Labor Day! 
Honoring our exceptional employees and 75 years of caring!
#laborday #gratitude #legacy #philanthropy #georgia #atlanta #healthcareforall

Happy Labor Day!
Honoring our exceptional employees and 75 years of caring!
#laborday #gratitude #legacy #philanthropy #georgia #atlanta #healthcareforall
...

Happy Labor Day! 
#laborday #gratitude #fun #employees #care

Happy Labor Day!
#laborday #gratitude #fun #employees #care
...

🌟 Volunteer Spotlight: Celebrating an Exceptional Heart! 🌟
This Labor Day, we wanted to shine a light on our amazing volunteers, laboring so generously for our mission!
One of our extraordinary volunteers at Hospice Atlanta, Stuart, received a lovely letter from our patient's family, about his amazing care, and how much Stuart helps!🌺 Whether it's through a comforting conversation, a warm smile, or lending a helping hand, Stuart embodies the true spirit of volunteerism.
Thank you Stuart for your generosity of spirit, sense of humor and willingness to support our patients and their families. 

All of our Volunteers are beacons of kindness and compassion, dedicating countless hours to ensuring our staff, patients and their families feel supported and cared for during their most challenging times. 

We are incredibly grateful for each and every one of our volunteers, and their dedication, compassion, and the positive experiences they offer! 🌈
#VolunteerSpotlight#hospiceatlanta#CommunityHeroes#gratitude#CompassionInAction

🌟 Volunteer Spotlight: Celebrating an Exceptional Heart! 🌟
This Labor Day, we wanted to shine a light on our amazing volunteers, laboring so generously for our mission!
One of our extraordinary volunteers at Hospice Atlanta, Stuart, received a lovely letter from our patient`s family, about his amazing care, and how much Stuart helps!🌺 Whether it`s through a comforting conversation, a warm smile, or lending a helping hand, Stuart embodies the true spirit of volunteerism.
Thank you Stuart for your generosity of spirit, sense of humor and willingness to support our patients and their families.

All of our Volunteers are beacons of kindness and compassion, dedicating countless hours to ensuring our staff, patients and their families feel supported and cared for during their most challenging times.

We are incredibly grateful for each and every one of our volunteers, and their dedication, compassion, and the positive experiences they offer! 🌈
#VolunteerSpotlight#hospiceatlanta#CommunityHeroes#gratitude#CompassionInAction
...