Executive Director Jill Mazza Olson Attends National Home Health and Hospice Leadership Conference

Last week VNAs of Vermont Executive Director Jill Mazza Olson attended the 2023 leadership conference held by the Council of State Home Care & Hospice Associations.

This annual event provides a valuable opportunity for home health and hospice association leaders like Jill to discuss state challenges, exchange best practices and ideas, and strategize on federal issues impacting our members and the people they care for across the country.

Data on hospital discharges to home health agencies was the focus of one workshop. According to the data gathered by the Research Institute for Home Care, 17% of all hospital discharges in Vermont are to home health agencies; a percentage higher than most states, demonstrating the critical role that VNAs of Vermont member agencies play in hospital discharges. Vermonters who prefer to heal at home are able to do so because of the important services offered by Vermont’s designated home health and hospice agencies.

Workforce challenges were high on the list of discussion topics among association leaders. Jill noted that few of her counterparts identified lack of housing as an issue facing their home health and hospice workforce.

While every state has its own unique obstacles and opportunities, joining together to discuss our individual and shared challenges strengthens our collective ability to find solutions.