Moving Healthcare Forward Podcast VNA Health Group

 “I'll recommend them to anyone, because it's the best thing that happened to us, the VNA coming in here and taking care of him” 


On September 17th of last year, Carlos Pernett was in a horrific motorcycle accident. While fortunate to be alive, Carlos found himself grappling with a myriad of severe injuries including broken ribs, a broken shoulder, a fractured knee, fractured lower back flaps, dislocated fingers, and severe road rash. It was a daunting journey ahead, one that would test his strength and resilience in unimaginable ways. 


After enduring multiple surgeries and days of hospitalization, Carlos was sent home to embark on his difficult path to recovery. It was here that the transformative role of VNA Health Group came into play. Dedicated professionals like Eileen and Diana, a nurse and physical therapist, became integral pillars of support for Carlos and his family. Through their unwavering dedication and expertise, they provided not only physical rehabilitation but also a profound sense of hope and encouragement during the family’s darkest moments.


You’ll also hear:
The indispensable role of VNAHG's homecare services in facilitating Carlos's remarkable journey to recovery Insight into Carlos's utilization of VNAHG's Community Health Centers throughout his life's journeyHow VNAHG team members like Eileen and Diana served as nurses, physical therapists and emotional support for Carlos's perseverance and determinationThe personalized and compassionate at-home care provided by VNAHGHow VNAHG can serve as beacons of hope for individuals facing major challenges

On today's episode of Moving Healthcare Forward podcast, Dr. Holler talks about her experience with patients and their families who are dealing with chronic and terminal illnesses. Yes, this may sound like a scary and depressing topic, but Dr. Holler sheds light on this very taboo subject and explains the beauty of palliative and hospice care when approached in a thoughtful and timely manner.
This episode is full of inspiring and informative information about the meaning and beauty (yes, beauty) of treating serious illness and end-of-life care. Dr. Holler shares uplifting stories about her patient’s experiences of having comfort, joy, and peace with the inevitable. Dr. Holler also shares her powerful story about what called  her to med school at age 40 (you read that right, 40!)  


In this episode, you’ll hear: 
How we can destigmatize discussions surrounding the topic of death The real difference between palliative care and hospice care How to create a peaceful end-of-life experience for a loved one How to know when it is time to make the transition from palliative care to hospice careWhy Dr. Holler views her work as inspiring, not depressingWhy completing the POLST form is so important to end-of-life -care. Visit VNAHG.org to download this form. The importance of bereavement counseling 

This is an important conversation around one of the many ways we at VNA Health Group are Moving Healthcare Forward. If you are in need of palliative or hospice services please call 1-800-200-2345. Please have a listen. 

In today’s episode, I was honored to speak with two incredible leaders in the New Jersey healthcare space,  Senators Declan O’Scanlon and Vin Gopal. Senator O’Scanlon and Senator Gopal speak openly about the challenges in finding the right care for elders as they age. In a given year VNA Health Group makes over a million home visits to elders in our communities who are aging in their own homes. Affordability continues to be a challenge as the 85 and over demographic develops the most health issues, and we all know, as people age, so do the medical bills. There needs to be more emphasis on home care so is a more cost-effective way to care for the elderly in the comfort of their home.  Senator Gopal believes one way to fix situations is additional funding through the state and federal governments and more focus on individual needs. We also talk about the nursing shortage and how finding affordable housing, unattainable education opportunities, and the impact COVID has had on the “work from home culture” are all contributors to the workforce shortage. 


Key Points from this episode: 
How we can make healthcare more affordable for the increasing 85+ communityThe difference between home care and healthcare affordability  How to gain and retain a new nursing staff while combating the current shortage Affordable New Jersey housing for both working nurses and seniors

Dr. Lina Shihabuddin is the Chief Population Health Officer with RWJ Barnabas Health, and she has an extensive and wide-ranging background in healthcare: she has trained in internal medicine, psychiatry and geriatric psychiatry, hospice and palliative medicine, and more. On today’s episode, we dove into elderly mental health, holistic healthcare and the incredible role that geriatric psychiatrists play in taking care of our aging population. Dr. Shihabuddin explains the need for more access to geriatric psychiatry for our aging population, and the types of care we can offer for elderly patients with cognitive diseases. Finally, we discuss the future of psychiatric care and what still needs to be established as the norm in order to keep our communities healthy and cared for. 
 
Key points from this episode: 
The importance of mental health in holistic careThe challenges of an aging population in psychiatryThe difficulty of patient access to geriatric psychiatry, and how we can improve thisCare beyond psychiatry that can help mitigate the effects of cognitive diseases

In-home care is an essential service. Without it, many patients would not have access to the medical care they desperately need. Emily Keller is an advanced registered nurse practitioner within the Parker Advanced Care Institute, Visiting Physician Services at VNA Health Group. She is a true expert, having offered in-home primary care since 2013, with a background in trauma ICU and master's credentials from Rutgers University. Tuning in today, you’ll hear about her day-to-day experience of offering in-home primary care, how she came to work in this space, and the surprising scope of services that can be covered by in-home care. Emily also shares her thoughts on the role of technology and the necessity of balancing it with practitioner support and reminds us how important it is for patients to plan ahead, plus much more. For all this and more, be sure to join us for this fascinating conversation!


Key Points From This Episode:
An overview of the community that Emily predominantly works in.What a typical workday looks like in home-based medical care.Why Emily prefers being able to care for patients in person.The factors that the length of an average visit depends on. Why patients are usually surprised by how much can be done during in-home care.What would ordinarily happen to these patients without access to in-home care.Emily’s journey to becoming an in-home primary care practitioner.Her concerns about going into in-home care and how her experience has disproved them.Advice for providers considering a similar path.Why it is so important for patients to plan ahead.The problem of loneliness and isolation.What Emily predicts for the future of this kind of work and how technology.How she responds to people who believe that technology can replace human care.The importance of balancing technological and practitioner-based care.How to find home care practitioners in your area.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Emily Keller on LinkedIn
Parker Advanced Care Institute
VNA Health Group Job Opportunities
Email Talent Acquisition at VNA Health Group

Natasha Davis is the Director of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey. She is one of the key leaders within VNAHG’s Children and Family Health Institute and a member of the Employee Council on diversity, inclusion and health equity. Today, we discuss how we can ensure vulnerable populations get the healthcare they need, and how we can empower more people to live healthy lives. Davis shares some of her experiences navigating the healthcare system both as a patient and as a healthcare provider, and how she establishes trust with her patients who have more trouble accessing care, encouraging them to get the screenings and healthcare they need. Finally, we reflect on the importance of building trust with communities of color, the Black infant and maternal mortality rate, the importance of holistic care and much more! 


Key points from this episode: 
How accessing high-quality care can be difficultThe importance of crossing the language barrier in healthcareEnsuring access to screenings, education, and healthcare informationEstablishing patient-provider trust and a look at Davis’s own experience with self-advocacy in healthcareHow innovative, holistic care can make a difference for our most vulnerable community members