Denton County Living Well Magazine September/October 2017 | Page 30

KATHERINE KRAUSE
Katherine is a leading voice in healthcare
and senior services and the President &
CEO of VNA Texas.
Dear Katherine,
I’m struggling with the belief that putting my loved
one on hospice means I am giving up on a miracle
for healing or just on hope itself. How do I know
choosing hospice care is doing what’s best?
~Tough Decisions Dear Katherine,
My father has been placed on hospice and I have
been assigned a social worker. Why do I need a
social worker and what can he/she do for us?
~Why a Social Worker
Dear Tough Decisions,
I’m sorry you are going through such a difficult
time. As caregivers we understand that the needs
and wishes of the patient should always come
first. Hospice is not giving up on the person, on
the possibility of a miracle, or on hope itself. Each
person deserves to be loved and cared for in the
best possible way. That is what hospice care does,
focusing on quality of life and comfort. Dear Why a Social Worker,
As part of the interdisciplinary team, social
workers advocate for the patient and their family
to ensure they receive care personalized to their
needs. Following death, social workers provide
bereavement information, education, and
support to help survivors cope with the death and
subsequent adjustment (“new normal”) to a life
without their loved one.
N I J H
2016
Readers’
Choice
ACCREDITED
DiversityFIRST
Recipient
VNA Hospice Care VNA Private Care
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. VNA Private Care empowers you to
age where you are most comfortable
– at home. Through our personal
care services, VNA Private Care is
an affordable alternative to nursing
homes and extended hospital stays.
To schedule your free in-home informational visit
[phone] | gethelp@vnatexas