
Aging Well with VNA
VNA helps people age with dignity and independence at home. Since 1934, VNA has responded to evolving community needs with innovative client and patient services. VNA was chartered as a nonprofit agency to address the desperate need for health care in Dallas during the Depression. Founded by two tenacious women who provided care to women and children living in the tent cities, VNA is committed to providing the highest quality care to the elderly, frail, disabled and dying. VNA’s programs include Meals on Wheels in Dallas County and Hospice Care, Palliative Care and Private Care in 13 North Texas counties. With 10,000 Baby Boomers turning 65 every day, our aging population is rapidly growing. VNA services and expertise are needed now more than ever. We take pride in providing quality serious illness care and serving as a resource to the aging population and make it our mission to invest our resources into providing compassionate patient care in the communities we serve. Planning for age and illness is vitally important and often ignored by families until a crisis. With our “Aging Well with VNA” podcast series, our goal is to help you and your loved ones understand options, know where to get help and gain tools on how to communicate your wishes. Through education and proper planning, you’ll be giving yourself peace of mind and your loved ones a gift. While VNA is based in North Texas, the series should provide you with relevant information no matter where you live. If you or your loved one needs help aging with dignity, or if you wish to volunteer or donate to VNA, visit www.vnatexas.org or call 1(800)CALL-VNA. Thanks for tuning in!
Episodes
23 episodes
Visiting Nurse Association Hospice and Palliative Care Fellows Program
In a recent lunch and learn, VNA Medical Director, Dr. Newcomer, detailed her work leading the Hospice and Palliative Care Fellows program at VNA. These vital, immersive training programs provide fellows with experience working with physicians,...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 5
•
57:02

A Better Understanding of Supportive Palliative Care
Join podcast host, Kersten Rettig, in a deep-dive conversation with two experts in the field of palliative care, Dr. Kate Taylor and Dr. Cheryl Thaxton, from the College of Nursing at the UNT Health Science Center. You’ll hear perspective...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 4
•
47:44

A Conversation with W. Stephen Love, President & CEO of the Dallas – Fort Worth Hospital Council
Hear from W. Stephen Love, President & CEO of the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council about the work they do in North Texas in promoting equitable health access and outcomes, training, and clinical collaboration. Mr. Love shares storie...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 3
•
46:41

Challenges and Opportunities for LGBTQIA+ Seniors
Join Aging Well With VNA Podcast Host, Kersten Rettig, in her conversation with Resource Center CEO, Cece Cox, J.D., where they explore the unique challenges and opportunities for our LGBTQIA+ older adult neighbors. Cece shares i...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 2
•
49:30
.png)
Understanding Palliative Care
For anyone experiencing serious illness and their loved ones, navigating care options and symptom management can be overwhelming. In this episode of Aging Well with VNA, you’ll hear from VNA’s Vice President and Chief Nursing Off...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 1
•
30:15

Tips and Advice From a Senior Living Specialist
The journey of finding the right living and care solutions for an aging loved one can be daunting. Paul Markowitz, of Senior Living Specialists, breaks down the types of senior living options and explains what questions families should ask when...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 12
•
1:17:44

Aging Well with VNA | Lunch and Learn - Understanding Pediatric Hospice with Dr. Kelly Newcomer
•
Season 2
•
Episode 11
•
33:53

Aging Well With VNA - Understanding Types of Care
Planning for aging, illness and care can seem like a daunting task, but understanding options and discussing your wishes in advance of a crisis can bring peace for you and your loved ones. Join Elder Care Attorney, Lori Leu, and podcast h...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 10
•
49:17

VNA Lunch & Learn - A Look Back and a Look Forward with Palliative Care
VNA clinical leaders, Olivia Rogers and Sarah Miles, review data released from Medicare related to VNA’s participation in a Medicare pilot for home-based palliative care. Join us as we discuss the success of the program in terms of patient outc...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 9
•
55:04

Aging Well With VNA - Navigating a Terminal Diagnosis
Host Kersten Rettig visits with geriatric specialist, Kate Taylor, DNP, FNP-C, CPPS, about how patients and families can navigate the often confusing, stressful time after receiving a terminal diagnosis. You’ll hear advice from bucket li...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 7
•
47:53

Two Pioneering Advocates Share Passion For Culinary Cultural Heritage and Feeding the Hungry
This podcast is a little different from our previous episodes. In this episode, we host two culinary greats to discuss their passion for food and feeding the hungry. Toni Tipton-Martin is a culinary journalist, author and a p...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 6
•
45:14

Future of Palliative And Hospice Care - VNA Texas Lunch and Learn - Audio Only
Join the Visiting Nurse Association of Texas (VNA) for a virtual Lunch and Learn featuring experts in the field of Hospice and Palliative Care. There have been many recent changes in this ever-expanding industry, which, like everything else, ha...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 4
•
58:45

Difficult Conversations - A physician’s perspective on hearing and communicating a serious diagnosis.
VNA Associate Medical Director, Mary Anne Chacko, MD, PhD, shares her experience with difficult conversations after a medical diagnosis with patients and as a patient with podcast host, Kersten Rettig. Dr. Chacko provides guidance on how to lis...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 3
•
56:39

Aging Well with VNA - Servicios de Hospicio: Lo que necesita saber.
In this VNA podcast, A Hospice Doctor and Nurse share about the hospice benefit. Dr. Kelley Newcomer and Nurse Luz Bueno have worked in hospice for many years and discuss how hospice and palliative care can benefit patients and their families.&...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 2
•
43:52

Aging Well with VNA - The Process of Grieving Amidst Uncertainty
Grief is a complex journey and one we will all experience. Bereavement is the process of coping with grief and loss. Feelings of grief and loss can happen at any time throughout the course of an illness—for the patient and their loved one...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 1
•
1:09:57

The Covid-19 Vaccine - Myths & Facts Q&A with Medical Professionals and Community Leaders
Thank you for listening to the Aging Well with VNA Podcast. In this episode, you’ll hear from a panel of medical professionals and community leaders sharing their expertise and insight into the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine as well a...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 9
•
1:06:49

Aging Well with VNA - A Heart For Service
In the early 1930s, public school nurse Lillian Becket led a small group of volunteer nurses into the poorest sections of Dallas and surrounding area to provide desperately needed care to women and children during the Great Depression. In this ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 8
•
26:02

Impact of COVID-19 on Under-resourced Communities
Community leaders offer their expertise and insight into the needs of and challenges for underserved populations during the pandemic. Join us to listen as they share their experiences and ideas on how to better serve our community and meet the ...
•
1:03:35

Aging Well with VNA - How do I honor you?
Anxiety, fear and confusion are often common emotions when planning for senior housing and long-term care. Gerontologist Dr. Mary Norman discusses the levels of care available and how to pay for and plan for the right type of long-term care for...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 5
•
41:03

Aging Well with VNA - Start early
Hear from a dedicated son about how his family worked together to fulfill their parents’ aging wishes. From moving them out of their childhood home in New York to senior living in Texas to managing falls and illness, learn from Doug about his e...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 4
•
38:13

Aging Well with VNA - Planning for your future after a dementia diagnosis
VNA’s Kersten Rettig visits with Jim Atkins, a surviving spouse of an Alzheimer’s patient, about how they planned for a future with Alzheimer’s. Jim shares how he and his wife worked together to put legal, financial, and end-of-life plans...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 3
•
32:24

Protecting Your Future: A legal perspective on aging well from Certified Elder Care Attorney, Lori Leu.
Planning for your future or helping a loved one plan for long-term care needs can be daunting. There are many important choices to consider. You’ll need to make decisions to ensure you and your loved ones’ needs are met and your ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 2
•
35:16

I thought hospice was a dirty word.
Often times people associate the word “hospice” with imminent death. However, for those who have experienced the support that hospice care provides, know it is a true gift for patients and their loved ones. Hear from Olivia Rogers, RN, Ch...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 1
•
46:57
