Collin County Living Well Magazine July/August 2018 | Page 51

KATHERINE KRAUSE Katherine is a leading voice in health care and senior services and the President and CEO of VNA Texas. Dear Katherine, I have heard a lot lately about palliative care. Can you tell me — what is palliative care and how is it different from your other services? -Curious About Palliative Care Dear Curious About Palliative Care, Palliative care is by definition: “specialized medical care for people with serious illness. This type of care is focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family.” At VNA we do this through an interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and personal care attendants. We provide this care in conjunction with your current treatment protocols and goals, and your current physicians. You no longer have to choose between comfort care and treatment. ~Katherine Dear Katherine, My mother is moving into the area to be closer to our family and we feel she may be approaching the time where we are considering hospice. I worry that we are “giving up” on her. Can you help? -Not Ready to Give Up Dear Not Ready to Give Up, Hospice care is not a lack of care or giving up; rather, it is providing compassionate, symptom-directed care to ensure your family and loved one are able to make the most of your time together. Medicare states that someone is appropriate for hospice if they have six months or fewer to live if the disease progression follows its usual course. That does not mean that someone can only live six months or less. Many diagnoses fall under hospice-appropriateness, and the hospice physician will determine which diagnosis to use for hospice. If you are torn and feel you need help deciding if it is the right time, your doctor can request an evaluation by VNA Hospice. ~Katherine N I J H 2016 Readers’ Choice ACCREDITED DiversityFIRST Recipient VNA Hospice Care VNA Care Choices VNA Hospice Care focuses on living life to its fullest and treating you with the dignity and respect you deserve. As a nonprofit, our bottom line is patient support and care provided by our highly qualified staff. Following the diagnosis of a life-limiting illness, patients and their loved ones have many questions about the best course of action. VNA Care Choices provides supportive care services in the home while continuing treatment with your current physician. To schedule your free in-home informational visit [phone] | [email protected] | vnatexas.org