Hospice is a word many know but few truly understand. For the nurses, aides, social workers, and chaplains who work with hospice patients and their families, there is only one way to explain hospice: it’s a gift. Hospice care is intended to provide a holistic system of care including medical, psychological, social and spiritual support to the terminally ill and their families. The care is designed to control pain, manage symptoms and provide emotional support.

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month as well as National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness and Family Caregivers Month. As the oldest hospice agency in the state of Texas, VNA has provided care to countless patients and their families, including those suffering from Alzheimer’s. In efforts to better serve the specialized needs of these patients, VNA developed the Music Therapy Program. Through the purposeful use of music, our board-certified music therapist helps to increase communication and relaxation for the patient, facilitate reminiscence and coping for families, and enhance the quality of life for patients. As a result, patients often experience improvement in their ability to recall memories as well as their loved ones.

The Alzheimer's Association has published research highlighting the growing evidence that music can help patients recall lost memories and help maintain cognitive function (2013). VNA is committed to providing the most compassionate comprehensive care available to patients and their families during this special month and throughout the year. Let me extend my own personal thank you to all of you, our VNA supporters, for making our community work possible.

Gratefully,

President & CEO VNA Texas