Visiting Nurse / Hospice Atlanta Blogs

Private Home Care vs Home Healthcare: What Service is Right for You or Your Loved One?

Although both services take place in the home, Private Home Care and Home Healthcare are different. The differences are in their provisions and how the cost is covered. Visiting Nurse Health System offers both, Private Home Care and Home Healthcare, but which service is the best option for you and/or your loved one?

Private Home Care: The Basics

Firstly, with a goal of providing families with a peace of mind, Private Home Care services assist individuals with activities of daily living like grooming, meals, transportation and light housework. These services are provided by a CNA and are considered non-skilled nursing services. There are no age requirements for Private Home Care services. In fact, individuals of all ages with disabilities and seniors make up the majority of Private Home Care clients.

Private Home Care: The Cost

The cost of Private Home Care varies depending on the service requirements. At the current time, Medicare does not cover the cost of Private Home Care. These services are paid for out-of-pocket, through long-term care insurance or veteran benefits.

Private Home Care: When to consider

Individuals who are aging or living with a disability should consider Private Home Care when daily living tasks become a challenge. It is our goal to allow our clients to remain as independent as possible with our care as needed. 90% of seniors asked would prefer to live in the comfort and familiarity of their home, learn more Private Home Care by calling 404-658-5800.

Home Healthcare: The Basics

Home Healthcare is a great option for patients who are transitioning from the hospital or rehabilitation to the home. The services needed vary from patient to patient. Home Healthcare services include skilled nursing services in addition to physical and occupational therapy. These are all components in helping patients to get moving again. Home Healthcare is delivered by RNs and LPNs which differs from Private Home Care. Often times, this care involves medicine administration, wound care, ventilator care, and tube feeding. If necessary, Home Healthcare therapists will help in the training to use of medical equipment like grab bars and walkers. These home visits usually last up to 60 days or as long as the patient is showing improvement.

Home Healthcare: The Cost

Home Healthcare is Medicare funded. Medicare will help cover the costs of medical equipment (i.e. grab bars and walkers). A patient’s physician can also order the care option as part of their treatment.

Home Healthcare: When to consider

Consider Home Healthcare Services with Visiting Nurse Health System for yourself or a loved on when transitioning back home after being in the hospital or rehab. Just because you or your loved one is going home that doesn’t mean the necessary care should come to an end. To begin Home Healthcare Services with Visiting Nurse Health System, call (404) 215-6000.

In conclusion, Private Home Care provides frequent and personal care and often times works alongside Home Healthcare. When considering an agency option that is best for you or a loved one it is ideal to find one like Visiting Nurse Health System who offers both skilled and non-skilled care so a relationship already exists if the care needs change. Remember, when seeking new care options always ask questions so that you can make informed decisions. You have to be your own healthcare advocate.

Visiting Nurse Health System is Georgia’s leading nonprofit provider of home healthcare, long-term care at home, and hospice services, helping patients and their loved ones receive care at home following an illness, surgery, or hospital stay.

Are you following us on social media?
 Visiting Nurse Health System |   Hospice Atlanta Visiting Nurse Health System Visiting Nurse Careers

Connect with Us on Instagram
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

...

1 0
💙 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

...

3 0
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

...

2 0
It's been a great month celebrating our July Employee of the Month! 

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

...

6 0
Hospice Atlanta is expanding our team! 
We’re looking for compassionate, community-minded professionals to join us as Hospice Atlanta Community Specialists. This is a meaningful opportunity to connect patients, families, and healthcare partners with the supportive care they deserve.
Are you passionate about helping others navigate serious illness with dignity and empathy? 

Apply today! 
Send your resume to HR@vnhs.org.

Join us in improving the lives of those we serve — one family at a time.
#HospiceAtlanta #NowHiring #HospiceCare #HealthcareJobs #AtlantaJobs #MissionDrivenCare

...

2 0
As we celebrate July 4th, we honor the spirit of independence that defines our nation—and also the dignity and freedom we strive to preserve every day for the people we serve. For 76 years, Visiting Nurse Health System has stood alongside Georgia families, helping patients remain in the place they cherish most: home.
Our work in home health and hospice care is rooted in compassion, choice, and respect for every individual’s journey. On this Independence Day, we recognize not only our country’s freedom, but also the personal freedoms we protect—by delivering care that helps people live and die with dignity, surrounded by those they love.
From our family to yours, Happy Fourth of July.
#choice #freedom #healthcarematters #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta

...

4 1
We've enjoyed celebrating our Certified Nursing Assistants for CNA this month and during last week's CNA week!! Thank you to these amazing clinicians - your clinical skill, compassionate care, and strength you bring to every patient and family you serve makes a lasting impact. This month and every month, we’re grateful for the heart you put into your work. #CNA #hospiceatlanta #visitingnursehealthsystem #passion #Mission

...

1 0
Today we pause to honor Juneteenth - a powerful reminder of resilience, freedom, and the continued pursuit of equity. At Visiting Nurse Health System, we recognize this day as more than a historic milestone, more so a call to action to listen, learn, and continue building a community where dignity and compassion are extended to all. Having provided care into the homes of Georgians for 76 years, our mission is rooted in the belief that each individual deserves equal access to quality health care. On this Juneteenth, we reaffirm that belief. Thank you to our community members, supporters and healthcare partners who help us serve with heart and humanity each day. #Juneteenth #EquityInCare #VisitingNurseHealthSystem #CommunityCare #hospiceatlanta

...

2 1
Happy Father’s Day from Visiting Nurse Health System! 💙
Today we honor fathers, father figures, grandfathers and the fathers who are caregivers -leading lead with love, strength, and quiet dedication at home and in our communities. Thank you for all you do! 
#FathersDay #VisitingNurse #HonoringDads #visitingnursehealthsystem

...

3 1
📢 We’re proud to share that Visiting Nurse Health System made front page news this week in Home Health Care News!

📰 Check out the featured article where our President & CEO, Dorothy Davis, talks about the growing financial pressures nonprofit home-based care providers face—especially in a market increasingly shaped by Medicare Advantage.
Dorothy shares insights on how competition for tier 1 patients and reimbursement challenges are shaping the future of care—not just for our patients, but for all of us who may one day need these vital services.

💬 We’re grateful to be part of this important conversation about the sustainability of nonprofit home health—and the critical business drivers that will define its future.

📖 Read the article here 👉https://vnhs.org/news/

#HomeHealthCare #NonprofitLeadership #MedicareAdvantage #ValueBasedCare #VisitingNurseHealthSystem #HealthCareNews #FutureOfCare

...

2 0
VNHS Spotlight!
We're pleased to share our award winning Chief Innovation Officer, Jaqueline Ralph-Blair, was honored today with Modern Healthcare’s Leading Woman of 2025 award! 
This prestigious award honors 30 leading women and 10 rising stars who are making lasting positive changes to the business of healthcare. 
Celebrated today in Chicago at Modern Healthcare’s 15th Annual Leading Women Conference & Awards Luncheon, Jacqueline and her 2025 class of Modern Healthcare's Leading Women, received a vanguard award honoring their achievements in and contributions to healthcare, to include directing strategic partnerships, designing cutting-edge technologies, and spearheading revenue-boosting initiatives. 
Congratulations Jacqueline and THANK YOU for all you do!!

#leadership #CSuite #givingback #healthcare #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta

...

7 2
Today, we remember and honor all who gave their lives in service to our country. Their courage, sacrifice, and dedication will never be forgotten. Forever grateful. 🕊️
#MemorialDay #HonorAndRemember #NeverForget #hospiceatlanta #visitingnursehealthsystem

...

4 1