Disease Management Tag

As we flock to the homes of loved ones this holiday season, many of us will see our families for the first time in weeks or even months. A part of you must wonder how your elderly parent or family member looks compared to the last time you were together. Have they aged much? Do they act any differently? Perhaps one of your biggest fears is coming home and noticing a loved one has trouble remembering things, like turning off the stove.

By Gina Epifano, PT, Director of Rehabilitation, Visiting Nurse Chronic pain and the use of opioids for chronic pain management have been making headlines in recent months. Statistics show that opioid prescriptions have quadrupled since 1999, with 259 million opioid prescriptions written in 2012. That’s enough for every adult in the United States to have a bottle of pills! Overuse of opioids can lead to overdose, addiction, depression and withdrawal symptoms.

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.

Games are common in checklists of gifts for Alzheimer's patients, because they provide mental stimulation and pleasant interaction for patients and their families and other caregivers. A July 2016 report concerning reinterpretation of data from a 10-year study related to warding off Alzheimer's is creating a stir about cutting risk of the disease through computer brain games. Registered nurses who aid Alzheimer's patients know all too well the impacts the disease has on patients' families. One concern that often arises is vulnerability of other family members to the disease and what they can do to avoid it. Many members of Alzheimer's families are interested in whether brain training through computer games may be beneficial.

Approximately 5.3 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. One in nine people over 65 suffer from this devastating illness. Researchers are keen to learn more about the factors that may improve early detection of the disease as well as characteristics that may place someone at greater risk. Now, new information is emerging about subtle changes that may be early signs of Alzheimer’s disease.  

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At Visiting Nurse Health System and Hospice Atlanta, we’re honored to care for the veterans in our community, recognizing not only their healthcare needs, but the lives, sacrifices and service that shaped who they are.

From bringing compassionate care into their home, we’re committed to making sure those who served our country are treated with the dignity, respect and gratitude they deserve.

We are honored to serve those who served. 🇺🇸

#Veterans #HonoringVeterans #HospiceAtlanta #VisitingNurseHealthSystem #VeteransCare #CommunityCare

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💫 Camp STARS 2026 is almost here! ⭐️
Our volunteers are getting ready for a wonderful weekend of connection, laughter, support and memories with our bereaved families this November.
Camp is nearly full, and we can’t wait to welcome our 2026 STARS! ⭐️✨

#CampSTARS #HospiceAtlanta #BereavementSupport #CommunityOfCare #VolunteersWhoCare

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We’re grateful when patients and families share their experience with Hospice Atlanta. Their stories not only encourage our team, but can also help other families feel more confident as they consider hospice care for someone they love.

Thank you for trusting us to be part of your journey.
#hospiceatlanta#hospicecare#ourwhy#CompassionateCare

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Please join us in celebrating our Employee of the Month!
Geraldine has been part of the Visiting Nurse Health System family for nearly a decade, bringing dedication, care and commitment to the work she does every day.

We’re grateful for all you do, Geraldine! 👏💙

#EmployeeOfTheMonth #TeamVNHS #VisitingNurseHealthSystem #HealthcareHeroes

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Visiting Nurse's Palliative Care program focuses on comfort, quality of life and support for people living with serious illness, while helping patients and families navigate their care.
Learn more about Palliative Care through Visiting Nurse Health System and how our team can help.
#palliativecare#visitingnursehealthsystem#qualityoflife#CompassionateCare

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We’re back with the second installment of our Hospice Myth or Fact series to help our patients, families and our community better understand hospice care and the support available when it’s needed most.
Have a question about hospice? Hospice Atlanta is here to help, because knowing the facts can make all the difference.
Our team is available to answer questions, provide guidance and help families understand navigate care options. 
#HospiceMythOrFact #HospiceAtlanta #HospiceCare #HereToHelp #CompassionateCare

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Aging Better starts with a community that cares!
Our Visiting Nurse Health System and Hospice Atlanta Home Health and Hospice teams were proud to be part of the Aging Better Expo, hosted by our valued healthcare partner, Kaiser Permanente.
The event brought seniors and community partners together for a day focused on health, wellness, resources and connections that help older adults live and age well in their homes!
Great event connecting one-on-one with seniors, answering questions, sharing information about our full care continuum filled with services to help seniors age in place. 

We’re grateful to Kaiser Permanente and all the organizations working together to care for Atlanta’s growing senior community. When we come together, we make our community stronger by bringing information, resources and connection to our seniors to thrive at home.

#agingbetterexpo#kaiserpermanente#visitingnursehealthsystem#hospiceatlanta#homehealth#seniorcare#AtlantaCommunity#CommunityCare

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Grateful for strong community partnerships that help build strong nonprofit leadership.
For the past five years, OnBoard has been an important pipeline for recruiting talented, committed leaders to the Visiting Nurse Health System | Hospice Atlanta Board of Directors. Their work has helped us connect with individuals who bring fresh perspectives, valuable expertise, and a genuine commitment to our mission.
We’ve seen that impact firsthand. Mel Coker, now in her first term as Board Chair, came to our board through OnBoard and stepped into the chair role following Nicole Hart’s successful completion of her term. And now, we are excited to welcome Amy Katnik as the newest leader joining our board through the OnBoard pipeline.
Strong organizations need strong governance, and strong governance starts with finding the right people who are willing to serve.
Thank you, OnBoard, for five years of partnership and for helping Visiting Nurse Health System continue to strengthen the leadership around our board table. We are grateful for the partnership and excited about the leaders still to come.

#OnBoard #BoardLeadership #NonprofitLeadership #Governance #CommunityLeadership #VisitingNurseHealthSystem #HospiceAtlanta

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Today, we celebrate the people who came before us. ❤️
The ones who raised families.
Built communities.
Worked hard.
Loved deeply.
Weathered challenges.
And left a little wisdom behind for the generations that followed.
On Senior Citizens Day, we honor the older adults who have shaped our families and our communities, and remind ourselves that growing older should always come with dignity, respect, connection and care.
Here’s to the stories, memories, lessons and legacies that make every generation matter.

Happy Senior Citizens Day! 

#SeniorCitizensDay #CelebrateSeniors #LegacyOfCare #AgingWithDignity #EveryGeneration

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As we close out the month, we'd like to acknowledge each and every day, the dedicated team members of Visiting Nurse Health System and Hospice Atlanta make a difference in the lives of patients and families across our community. From nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians, social workers, chaplains, aides, therapists, administrative staff, care coordinators to our incredible volunteers, each person plays an important role in delivering compassionate, patient-centered care.

Thank you for your expertise, dedication, and commitment to those we serve. We are grateful for all that you do.

#HealthcareHeroes #HospiceCare #HomeHealth #CommunityCare #Teamwork #VisitingNurse #HospiceAtlanta

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Stories like these remind us why we do what we do. Every day, Visiting Nurse Home Visiting Nurse Health System / Hospice Atlanta is honored to help patients regain strength, independence, and honor life's journey with peace, confidence and dignity, at every stage of life, in the comfort of home.
#HomeHealth #hospiceatlanta #PatientExperience #visitingnursehealthsystem #CareAtHome #HealthcareHeroes

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Connecting with our community is at the heart of what we do. From senior citizen fairs, Veteran Patient Pinning ceremonies, medical doctors offices and hospital education days, to community education events, the Visiting Nurse teams are out across Georgia, every day, building relationships, sharing resources, and helping connect patients to the care they need.

We're proud to partner with healthcare professionals, community organizations, and families to increase awareness of home health, hospice and community-based services, ensuring more individuals can access quality care where they are most comfortable, at home.

#VisitingNurseHealthSystem #Veterans #HomeHealth #CommunityOutreach #HealthcareEducation #AtlantaHealthcare #CareAtHome

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