Hospice and supportive palliative care are deeply emotional and sensitive processes, but the Visiting Nurse Association of Texas strives to make this journey easier for patients and families. Community Impact recently spoke with Jennifer Austin, the managing director of development and communications at VNA Texas, to learn more about how the organization provides compassionate, personalized care that supports individuals during their most challenging times.

Founded in 1934, VNA Texas offers a range of services, including hospice, supportive palliative care and Meals on Wheels.

What is the Visiting Nurse Association of Texas, and what services does it provide?

Austin: Our mission at VNA Texas is to provide care to our community, enhancing health and well-being with compassion, dignity and integrity. We offer a range of services, including hospice, supportive palliative care and Meals on Wheels, delivered wherever the patient calls home. Our hospice care serves both adults and pediatric patients—birth to age 21. We provide these clinical services across 16 counties in North Texas, including Collin, Cooke, Dallas, Denton and Ellis. Additionally, we are proud to be the Meals on Wheels provider for all of Dallas County.

How have VNA Texas' core values of compassion, dignity, and integrity shaped its approach to providing care over the past 90 years?

Austin: Founded in 1934 during the Great Depression, VNA Texas was built on providing care where it’s needed most. Today, we specialize in serious illness care, helping individuals age with dignity and ensuring access to compassionate care for both patients and families. As the first nonprofit hospice in Texas, we have always prioritized the needs of patients and caregivers, offering expert support without the pressure to generate profit.

What is the difference between palliative and hospice care?

Austin: Hospice and palliative care both focus on providing comfort and improving quality of life, but they differ in their timing and scope. Palliative care can begin at any stage of a serious illness to manage symptoms, relieve pain and support the patient and family emotionally. Hospice care, on the other hand, is specifically for patients within the last six months of life due to a life-limiting illness.

What are some common misconceptions about these forms of care?

Austin: A common misconception about hospice care is that it means giving up, but in reality, it's leaning in. Hospice focuses on providing comfort and ensuring the best possible quality of life, prioritizing what’s best for the patient and their wishes. Some people hesitate to use hospice benefits because they believe it signals the end, but in fact, enrolling in hospice care earlier can often lead to patients living longer. This is because they receive the right care and support at home, rather than being repeatedly hospitalized. By managing symptoms and avoiding unnecessary hospitalizations, patients can have a better quality of life in their final days.

Can you explain the Meals on Wheels program and the process for individuals to apply for services?

Austin: VNA Texas is proud to be the Meals on Wheels provider for all of Dallas County. We launched our Meals on Wheels program in 1973, starting with just 125 clients. Today, we deliver over 5,000 meals daily to seniors and disabled adults throughout Dallas County, along with an additional 1,500 meals to community centers. Our program goes beyond just providing nutritious meals—we focus on social nutrition by offering companionship and a safety check through our volunteers and staff. These daily visits help combat loneliness and ensure the well-being of those we serve. To apply for the Meals on Wheels program, individuals can contact us directly through our website, where they can complete a referral form.

How does VNA Texas ensure comprehensive, personalized care while emphasizing cultural sensitivity and addressing the unique needs of patients and families?

Austin: At VNA Texas, we provide comprehensive, personalized care through a large, collaborative team that includes registered nurses, physicians, social workers, chaplains and volunteers. We specialize in pediatric and adult hospice care, with child life specialists supporting children in the family. Care is tailored to the patient’s preferences, cultural values and family needs. Cultural sensitivity is central to our approach, as we understand that beliefs about illness, death and dying can vary greatly. Our team undergoes extensive training, including certifications in Jewish hospice care and care for the LGBTQ+ community, to ensure we respect each family’s unique needs. This comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach ensures the highest level of care and support for both patients and families.

Those interested in exploring the services offered by VNA Texas, including hospice, supportive palliative care, and Meals on Wheels can visit the website for more information.

The above story was produced by Multi Platform Journalist Chloe Chapel with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.