Visiting Nurse / Hospice Atlanta Blogs

Hospice… Game Over? No, Game On!

By: Dr. Bryan Hooker, Hospice Atlanta Medical Director

What do you think of when you hear the word hospice? You think “game over,” right? Well that’s not necessarily accurate. Hospice care, as a philosophy, focuses on the relief of terminally ill patients’ symptoms and pain while attending to their emotional and spiritual needs. Contrary to the assumption that hospice equals death, data shows that early referral to hospice actually improves life expectancy.

The appreciation for hospice care has grown; in fact, November has been named Homecare and Hospice Month. The month that hosts Thanksgiving, and as leaves fall to the ground most likely to represent the end of life, November is an ideal time to discuss hospice philosophy and examine how Hospice Atlanta serves a vital role in caring for the most vulnerable in our community.

The Journey of Hospice

Recently at our inpatient unit Hospice Atlanta Center, an elderly man Jim (not his real name) was admitted after suffering an intracerebral hemorrhage from a fall. He was unable to speak and was partially paralyzed in more than half his body. He was very agitated and restless and appeared to be in pain. His medical records also revealed he suffered from cancer. With the help of the social worker and several other team members, we discovered Jim was an attorney living in squalor with his beloved dog, Roscoe. Our team made daily visits and rarely did we notice family members present. Although Jim’s condition improved over time and he was finally able to speak in 4 to 5 word sentences, it became clear to us that he would no longer be able to live independently. Although we provide care for those without means for payment, we do not provide the type of living facility Jim needed, so we began searching for a safe place that would accept patients without funding. As we nursed him back to health, our social worker found the perfect facility for him and even found a happy home for Roscoe too. We discussed our plan of care with his family, who felt some sense of relief that their father would continue to receive excellent supportive care.

Through the tireless efforts of our entire team, including nurses providing compassionate care, aides helping to bathe and feed Jim, his social worker scouring options for placement, our volunteer sitting at his bedside, and our chaplain praying for us all, the last few days of Jim’s life were peaceful and comfortable. This journey that our hospice team took with Jim and his family reminds me of the quote by Robert Frost: “Hope is not found in a way out but a way through.” It is this type of journey all of us at Hospice Atlanta hope to give each and every patient.

So ask yourself again, what do you think of when you hear the word hospice? At Hospice Atlanta, we hope our patients think “game on.”

Connect with Us on Instagram
Honored to bring together distinguished individuals from across Georgia at this week's Healthcare Champions community event at the Buckhead Club. We are grateful for our sponsor, Cadence Bank, for their support, and to the amazing keynote speaker Amaka Eneanya, MD, MPH, FASN, whose insights and expertise inspired meaningful dialogue among the packed room of leaders. hashtag#community hashtag#healthcareforall hashtag#georgia hashtag#visitingnursehealthsystem hashtag#hospiceatlanta

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🎉We celebrate 77 years of caring for you, Georgia! 

Since our founding in 1948, Visiting Nurse has grown from just two nurses serving Fulton and DeKalb counties to today, your trusted in-home healthcare, hospice and aging services provider, bringing you the FULL healthcare continuum in the comfort of the place you call home!

We are proud of our history—and even more excited for the future. Thank you for allowing us to care for you, Georgia, for 77 years and growing! 💙

#77YearsStrong
#caringforgeorgia
#gratitude
#inhomecare
#visitingnursehealthsystem
#hospiceatlanta
#Georgia

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Today Is National Grief Awareness Day
📸 Let’s turn awareness into action.
📢 Text 'CampSTARS' to 71777

#CampSTARS
#GriefAwareness
#GriefSupport
#NationalGriefAwarenessDay
#NoOneGrievesAlone

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Our Camp STARS bereavement camp is designed to help those that have lost a loved one know they are not alone and that their feelings of loss are normal. This weekend family camp provides a safe environment for both children and adults to share their feelings, meet others in similar situations, and have fun while learning how to grieve in an emotionally healthy way. This year's camp is November 7-9, learn more here. https://vnhs.org/hospice-atlanta/camp-stars/
#griefawareness #CampStars #hospiceatlanta #visitingnursehealthsystem

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In honor of National Grief Awareness month...

Tag someone who’s been there for you during grief. 
Share your memorable moments of remembrance. 

#NationalGriefAwarenessDay
#NoOneGrievesAlone
#HealingTogether

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3 Days to National Grief Awareness Day, August 30. 

What Will You Do?”

📲 Click here and donate or fundraise! https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/CampSTARS 
Hospice Atlanta's Camp STARS Bereavement camp
#countdown
#CampStars
#griefawareness
#griefsupport

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Grief Can Look Like this. 
Grief is complicated — especially for children.
Grief Awareness Month: we invite you to please share your story and tag us to raise awareness this month!
#childgriefawareness #hospiceatlanta #visitingnursehealthsystem #hope

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Supporting our community as they grieve is important this month, National Grief Awareness Month, and every month here at Hospice Atlanta. 

Another way we support those who have suffered a loss is with Camp STARS- our weekend family bereavement camp. For 31 years, we've provided a safe environment for adults and children to share their feelings, meet others in similar situations, and have fun while learning how to grieve in an emotionally healthy way. 
Hear from our campers how important Camp is to their journey. 

📱Text CampSTARS to 71777 to support healing.
#hospiceatlanta#visitingnursehealthsystem#CampStars #healing

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August is National Grief Awareness Month. 
Grief isn’t something we ‘get over’ — it’s something we learn to live with. This August, please join along in honoring all who grieve, and let's raise awareness around grief, together.
#CampStars#griefsupport#nationalgriefawarenessday#hospiceatlanta#visitingnursehealthsystem

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💙 Compassion in Action. Care at Home. 💚
At Visiting Nurse Health System | Hospice Atlanta, we are your solution to healthcare and aging in the home. 
For over 75 years, we’ve served metro Atlanta with trusted healthcare in the home rooted in dignity, respect, and clinical excellence. We bring expert, compassionate care directly to the homes for every stage of your healthcare journey. From home health after an injury, surgery or life event, to safe & compassionate end of life care with Hospice Atlanta, we’re honored to be part of your care journey.

📍 Proudly non-profit. Proudly local.

Learn more or refer a loved one: www.vnhs.org
#HospiceAtlanta #HomeHealthCare #HospiceCare #AtlantaNonprofit #CompassionateCare #VisitingNurseHealthSystem #carethatcomestoyou

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Come and learn with us! 
Hospice Atlanta is a proud vendor at the upcoming Made Whole Senior Resource Fair and we'd love to see you there!
This even has Free Admission AND Free Parking! 
Come and learn from the best in Georgia's aging industry experts! #aginggracefully #seniorliving #hospiceatlanta #visitingnursehealthsystem

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It's been a great month celebrating our July Employee of the Month! 

Thank you Chintan! 
#gratitude #celebrate #service #MissionDrivenCare #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta

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