Visiting Nurse / Hospice Atlanta Blogs

Staying at Home with a Nursing Home Alternative

For the 20th consecutive year, Visiting Nurse Health System was awarded The Atlanta Regional Commission’s contract for the Community Care Services Program (CCSP). Facilitated by the Long-Term Care at Home program of Visiting Nurse, this Medicaid waiver program helps seniors and individuals with disabilities receive community-based social, health and support services.

Dorothy Davis, Executive Director of Long-Term Care at Home and Vice President of Community Services and Strategy, shared an overview of the program and how it improves the lives of those it serves.

What is the Long-Term Care at Home program?

Our Long-Term Care at Home program is made up of a few different programs, offering a variety of resources and support depending on the needs of the participants.

How is the program funded?

Our programs are funded thanks to the Older Americans Act that helps seniors age in place. Two of our programs are nursing home Medicaid waiver programs designed to keep people at home with the same level of services as a nursing home. We also provide fee-based case management, as well as care for patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Is there support and education for the caregiver as well as the patient?

We can help ease the burden of those caring for someone with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other forms of dementia by providing respite care in the home, allowing caregivers time to run errands or simply take a break.

What geography do you cover?

Our program covers the area mirroring the Atlanta Regional Commission footprint, which goes north and south from Cherokee to Fayette counties, and east and west from Douglas to Gwinnett counties.

Where do most of the recipients of the care reside?

Most participants are at home or the place they call home.

How does this program improve the lives of those it serves?

Long-Term Care at Home allows our clients to remain at home—instead of being placed in a nursing home—an average of four years longer than they would without this resource. In 2016, surveys showed 94% of clients in the program had a positive overall experience.

How do you find clients or do they find you? Can anyone in the community call your office?

People seeking assistance can visit Atlanta Regional Commission’s website for community information or call us directly at (404) 222-2417.

What do you see as the future of this program as healthcare continues to change? What do you think will be the greatest need in the next three to five years?

I think the greatest need will be the growing population of aging and shrinking resources. We can help ease that burden on our community.

What can the community do to help support the program?

Advocate for funding and work with Visiting Nurse as a trusted resource for aging information and support, regardless of an individual’s ability to pay for services.

Anything more you would like to add?

Being a caregiver is one of the more difficult jobs most of us will encounter. You want to work with an organization like Visiting Nurse that understands how critical the role of caregivers is to quality of life and quality of care.

Connect with Us on Instagram
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

...

3 0
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

...

2 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