VNA - Visiting Nurse Association

VNA is the first and most experienced hospice provider in Texas. Since 1934, VNA has provided the highest quality care—in the home—across North Texas, especially for those with no place to turn and no means to pay. VNA was chartered as a nonprofit to provide home health during the Depression. Today, VNA offers Meals on Wheels in Dallas County, and VNA Hospice and Palliative care in 14 North Texas counties. VNA serves the elderly, frail, disabled, and dying keeping patients and clients at home and as comfortable, healthy, and independent as possible.

VNA Hospice Care provides medical care, as well as emotional and spiritual support, for adults in the final phase of a terminal illness and bereavement care for their families. In Collin County, we provide quality end-of-life care for all who need it, regardless of their ability to pay.  As one of three nonprofit hospice providers in DFW, our focus is on providing quality patient care and support for caregivers.

VNA Care Choices is a comprehensive palliative care program dedicated to patient-centered goals is available to help you or your loved one who might be facing a serious illness with compassionate, supportive care while continuing to see your physicians and maintaining your treatment plans. Our expert staff will help you and your family navigate the often complicated medical system, weigh options, and communicate with your physicians.

Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. A kind word from a volunteer may be the only human contact many of our clients have all day. Your time makes a difference and we have many fun and meaningful Individual, family, and group volunteer opportunities!

Opportunities for volunteers including providing a listening ear for patients, the bereaved family members to administrative tasks, to helping with our sewing projects.

• Direct Patient Care Volunteers provide friendly visits, caregiver relief, and assistance with errands. * During the pandemic, there are no face-to-face visits. Volunteers drop off goodies and make “window” visits in certain circumstances.
• Tuck-in callers check in with patients and families before the weekend to make sure they have supplies and medicines they need.
• Bereavement callers are trained in being a supportive listener for those who have had a loved one die in the past year.
• Administrative volunteers assist with clerical and providing administrative support for VNA staff.
• Caring notes volunteers provide a handwritten note to a bereaved family member for 12 months after their loved one has died.
• Heart hug volunteers help to deliver a heart pillow to the bereaved doorstep.
• Birthday brigade volunteers offer a little special treat delivered to a patient on their birthday.
• Sewing volunteers are currently assisting with making fabric masks for staff, patients, and families. They are also sewing pillows for the heart hugs program. Sewing volunteers can also make lap blankets and small positioning pillows and fidget blankets for patients.
• Certified pet therapists are needed to help patients enjoy a friendly visit from a certified pet therapy partner.

Visit https://www.vnatexas.org/get-involved/volunteering/sign up to learn more about becoming a VNA hospice volunteer.

Questions? Call Laura Kaiser, LMSW, ACHP-SW at 972-533-4639 or email kaiserl@vnatexas.org