Aging Well with VNA

In this insightful episode of Aging Well with VNA, Rev. Dr. Chris Girata, Rector of Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Dallas, shares his perspectives on aging with grace and purpose. Drawing from his extensive experience in ministry, Rev. Girata discusses the spiritual, emotional, and communal aspects of growing older. He emphasizes the importance of community, faith, and service in navigating the challenges and embracing the opportunities that come with aging. Whether you're seeking inspiration for your own journey or looking to support loved ones, this conversation offers valuable insights into living a fulfilling life at any age.

Learn more about the Visiting Nurse Association, including how to get involved and volunteer, at www.vnatexas.org  Learn more about The Rev. Dr. Christopher D. Girata at https://www.saintmichael.org/about/clergy-staff/

In a recent lunch and learn, VNA Medical Director, Dr. Newcomer, detailed her work leading the Hospice and Palliative Care Fellows program at VNA. These vital, immersive training programs provide fellows with experience working with physicians, nurses, and the interdisciplinary teams within the hospice (adult and pediatric) programs, and also make in-home patient visits. Fellows, Dr. Raseman and Dr. King, also shared what they have learned and how their experience will shape their future medical careers.

Featuring:

• Kelley F. Newcomer, MD, FAAHPM, VNA Medical Director of Adult and Pediatric Hospice
• VNA Fellows Kate Raseman, MD and Andrea King, MD

Join podcast host, Kersten Rettig, in a deep-dive conversation with two experts in the field of palliative care, Dr. Kate Taylor and Dr. Cheryl Thaxton, from the College of Nursing at the UNT Health Science Center.  You’ll hear perspectives from both adult and pediatric palliative care, resources for caregivers, and how clinical staff come alongside patients and families during serious illness.  

Show Notes and Resources:

• Courageous Parent Network – A nonprofit organization working to equip and empower those caring for children with a serious medical condition. 
• Pregnancy Loss and Infant Death Alliance – A nonprofit organization focused on perinatal and neonatal bereavement care.
• The Warm Place - The WARM Place provides a safe, compassionate space for children and their families grieving the death loss of a loved one. 
• VNA Bereavement Support – Support for family members of patients and community members experiencing grief and loss.
• My Wishes Booklet - My Wishes is a booklet written in everyday language that helps children express how they want to be cared for in case they become seriously ill. 

Dr. Kate Taylor is a certified FNP with over 25 years of healthcare experience, including previous service as an Army Nurse Corps officer. She currently serves as the Assistant Dean of Clinical and Outreach Affairs for the College of Nursing and is an Assistant Professor, as well as adjunct faculty for the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of North Texas Health Science Center. She is actively involved in a geriatrics primary care and house calls program and has a focus on advance care planning. Dr. Taylor engages in professional organizations, holding roles such as Secretary of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s Practice Leadership Network and Legislative Ambassador for Texas Nurse Practitioners. She also serves as a board member for Dementia Friendly Fort Worth. Additionally, Dr. Taylor teaches interprofessional learners on local, national, and international platforms.  Dr. Taylor is a distinguished Fellow of the National Academies of Practice and a Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS). She holds the Tarrant Area Gerontological Society’s Mildred O. Hogstel Award and the Texas Nurse Practitioner’s Visionary Award, recognizing her exceptional contributions to patient care and education.

Cheryl Thaxton, DNP, APRN, CPNP, FNP-BC, CHPPN, FPCN, FAANP, FAAN is dual board certified in pediatrics and family practice as a nurse practitioner. Dr. Thaxton currently serves as the Founding Associate Dean, Regents Professor, and Chair of Graduate Studies for the College of Nursing (CON) at the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC) in Fort Worth. She has over 33 years of experience in nursing care of patients across the lifespan which includes several years of experience in critical care, palliative and hospice care, primary care, nursing leadership, curriculum development, and graduate program development/evaluation. Dr. Thaxton has devoted several years of her career to researching the specific needs of children and adults with life-limiting illnesses. She was part of a team of nursing faculty led by Dr. Betty Ferrell that helped to implement the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) Curriculum, an evidence-based palliative and hospice nursing initiative. Dr. Thaxton has a plethora of publications in the literature, podium presentations, and other notable scholarly activities. In 2021, Dr. Thaxton received the DFW Great 100 Nurses Awa

Hear from W. Stephen Love, President & CEO of the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council about the work they do in North Texas in promoting equitable health access and outcomes, training, and clinical collaboration.  Mr. Love shares stories of promise and hope in our healthcare system and how we can all live healthier, happier lives when we have access to good preventative and acute care. 

Show notes:

Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council - The mission of the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council is to drive evidence-based improvement in patient care and health equity throughout the region.

Compassionomics - The Revolutionary Scientific Evidence That Caring Makes a Difference. Written by Stephen Trzeciak, MD, MPH and Anthony Mazzarelli, MD, JD, MBE.

Join Aging Well With VNA Podcast Host, Kersten Rettig, in her conversation with Resource Center CEO, Cece Cox, J.D., where they explore the unique challenges and opportunities for our LGBTQIA+ older adult neighbors.  Cece shares insights into systemic barriers and discrimination and how that impacts the LGBTQIA+ community, especially as it relates to aging, asset accumulation, healthcare, and housing.  You’ll hear about resources available and how we can all be better allies.  

Episode Links:

Resource Center – Resource Center pursues societal equity by proudly offering LGBTQIA+ affirming resources designed to improve health and wellness, strengthen families and communities, and provide transformative education and advocacy.  

Oak Lawn Place – LGBTQIA+ affirming, affordable independent housing for seniors 214-272-9528

SAGE Care – VNA Hospice Care is SAGECare Certified to serve the LGBTQ+ community with cultural competency

Legal Hospice of Texas – Provides free legal services to clients in 16 North Texas Counties

Coalition for Aging LGBT – A nonprofit with a mission to improve and protect the quality of life of older LGBT adults in North Texas through community engagement and advocacy education.

Human Rights Campaign – resources for education and advocacy

For anyone experiencing serious illness and their loved ones, navigating care options and symptom management can be overwhelming.  In this episode of Aging Well with VNA, you’ll hear from VNA’s Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, Olivia Rogers, RN, BSN, CHPN, CHPO, MBA, and Managing Director of Marketing, Sarah Harris, about a supportive palliative care program, VNA Care Choices.  You’ll learn more about who could benefit from one or all of the following offerings: physician-directed care, psychosocial support, symptom management, RN care coordination, medication reviews, advanced care planning, in-home care planning, and child-life specialist support.  They will also explore who is eligible for this program and when is it a good time to consider. You can learn more about VNA Care Choices here:  https://www.vnatexas.org/our-services/vna-care-choices/

The journey of finding the right living and care solutions for an aging loved one can be daunting. Paul Markowitz, of Senior Living Specialists, breaks down the types of senior living options and explains what questions families should ask when making this important decision. 

Planning for aging, illness and care can seem like a daunting task, but understanding options and discussing your wishes in advance of a crisis can bring peace for you and your loved ones.  Join Elder Care Attorney, Lori Leu, and podcast host, Kersten Rettig, for an informative discussion about short-term and long-term care, insurance options and how to plan for care.  

Resource Links:

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys: www.naela.org

National Elder Law Foundation: www.nelf.org

Senior Source Elder Financial Safety Center:  https://theseniorsource.org/what-we-do/financial-assistance-for-older-adults-in-dallas/financial-help-for-elders/

VNA Advanced Care Planning Resources:  https://www.vnatexas.org/for-current-patients-family-members/advanced-care-planning-2/

Wellness Center for Older Adults:  www.wcoa.org

Lori Leu:  www.leulawfirm.com

VNA clinical leaders, Olivia Rogers and Sarah Miles, review data released from Medicare related to VNA’s participation in a Medicare pilot for home-based palliative care. Join us as we discuss the success of the program in terms of patient outcomes locally and nationally. Learn how this data, along with new regulations at the state level, are informing VNA’s future palliative care service. 

Featuring
Olivia Rogers, RN, BSN, CHPN, Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer, VNA
Sarah Miles, RN, BSN, Director of Quality and Palliative Care, VNA