There are many words that describe the fabric of the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA): compassionate, dedicated, kind, caring, expert, innovative. The public health nurse, the community activists, and philanthropists who created VNA in 1934 were innovative in how they saw a need and worked hard to innovate to meet that need.
That same spirit is alive and thriving today. Did you know VNA is continuously participating in studies, innovation models, research, and practice to ensure we are meeting the growing needs in our community and approaching this work with a pioneering spirit?
VNA’s current supportive palliative care program was born out of a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation pilot program, Medicare Care Choices Model. Our VNA Care Choices program was launched in 2018 to test supportive, interdisciplinary care for patients experiencing serious illness who were not yet ready for hospice. The pilot resulted in better patient outcomes and reduced costs on Medicare. We are using these findings today as we have relaunched our supportive palliative care program to reach more patients needing care navigation and support.
Our Meals on Wheels program is in its second year of participating in a nationwide Brown University research study to test outcomes of home-delivered meals vs. dropped-shipped meals services and how they impact the overall health and wellness of participants.
Loneliness and isolation are posing a major challenge to all of us, especially seniors. To address this epidemic of loneliness, VNA Meals on Wheels is working with the Dell Medical School’s think tank, Factor Health, in Austin, to test an empathetic calling program for Meals on Wheels clients experiencing feelings of isolation and loneliness. Students at the University of Texas call clients to engage in meaningful conversation to help these seniors feel more connected. Initial reports indicate positive results and we anticipate clients will feel less lonely and experience better health outcomes overall.
In 2023, McKesson brought together VNA, the Community Council of Greater Dallas, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, and Feonix Transportation to launch a pilot aimed at addressing health equity issues for cancer patients in Dallas County. With funding from McKesson, the partners named above launched a program for first-time cancer patients to receive not only their medical treatment, but a full assessment of their non-medical drivers of health. VNA’s role is to provide meals and weekly safety checks for patients enrolled in the program. You can watch a news segment about the partnership here.
Investing in innovation is another important way VNA continues to meet the growing needs of our community. As a valued supporter, we are grateful for your gifts that help us serve our patients, clients, and community. Thank you for sharing in our vision to provide the best care to the most vulnerable.
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