Visiting Nurse / Hospice Atlanta Blogs

Why Palliative Care isn’t just for Hospice Patients

When facing a serious illness, treatment options can be confusing. Some patients pursue aggressive treatment, while others choose to forego curative treatment and enter hospice care. However, there is another option called palliative care. Palliative care is often confused with hospice care, but it is not just for hospice patients. Many patients find palliative care a life-affirming, supportive option for dealing with their serious illness.

What Is Palliative Care?

The word “palliate” means “to ease symptoms.” That is the precise intent of palliative care, which has emerged as a medical specialty distinct from hospice care. What some people find confusing is that palliative care is part of hospice care. People in hospice receive palliative care designed to ease their symptoms of pain and discomfort, but they do not undergo curative treatment.

However, palliative care does not have to occur only in a hospice setting. Palliative care can be offered as an adjunct to curative treatment. It involves a holistic approach, with a treatment team that is often made up of doctors, nurses and other medical professionals. Visiting Nurse Health System provides consultative palliative care in your home, easing symptoms associated with the medical condition itself as well as side effects of treatment.

Who May Benefit from Palliative Care?

Simply put, anyone suffering from a serious illness may benefit from palliative care. There is no limitation on age, condition or severity of disease. Some patients in palliative care are suffering from aggressive forms of cancer, while others are managing chronic illnesses such as heart disease. Unlike hospice care, in which patients generally must be within the final six months of life, there is no such condition on palliative care. This means that palliative care can be introduced earlier in the disease process. Patients can continue to receive palliative care even if they also choose to undergo curative treatment.

“When facing a life-limiting or chronic illness, it’s important to understand your options. Visiting Nurse provides support for patients and their families as they navigate these difficult decisions, said Judy Herbert, manager of the palliative program at Visiting Nurse.

Palliative care can improve quality of life, ease distress and limit hospital stays during a challenging illness. Contact Visiting Nurse today to learn more about our palliative care options and find out how we can help you or your loved one.

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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! 💙

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

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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
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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
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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
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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! 
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