November is Home Health and Hospice Month and we are proud to celebrate 30 years of outstanding home health and hospice services in Henry County! As we reflect upon this 30th anniversary, we admire the remarkable growth and unwavering commitment to quality care that has defined the organization from the beginning. Over the past three decades, the team of compassionate caregivers has remained steadfast in their mission: to serve families in their most vulnerable moments with dignity, comfort, and care, all while staying deeply rooted in the heart of the community.
Anna Hollandsworth, the current Director of Home Health and Hospice, joined the organization just over a year ago, bringing with her a decade of experience in the industry. Although she is relatively new to the position, she feels strongly connected to this essential service. “Thirty years ago, there was a gap in care that needed to be filled. Our nurses did all the legwork to get the licensing approved, establishing the program as hospital-based and nonprofit,” Anna shared. The early vision still holds true today – to ensure that families in Henry County and those around us have access to high-quality home care when it’s needed most.
From those early days, the service has grown tremendously, adapting to the changing needs of the community while keeping its core values intact. Carman Wright, a social worker who has been with the program since its inception, recalls the evolution of hospice care in particular. “When we first started, hospice was a new concept, and even doctors were reluctant to refer patients. But over time, we’ve seen a shift. Now, more physicians are open to recommending hospice over hospitalization, and more families understand that it’s about comfort and dignity at the end of life.” Carman, who also serves as the coordinator for both volunteers and bereavement, has witnessed firsthand how the organization has educated families on death, dying, and grieving. She notes that families in Henry County and beyond have come to trust Home Health and Hospice, knowing that their loved ones can remain at home, surrounded by those they love.
One of the core elements that sets West Tennessee Healthcare Home Health and Hospice apart is its deeply personal approach to care. Both Anna and Carman emphasize that the staff treats every patient as if they were part of their own family. “We’re neighbors taking care of neighbors,” Anna explained. Whether it’s a nurse baking a homemade pie for a patient or going out of their way to find a patient’s favorite cookie, the Home Health and Hospice team goes above and beyond for their patients. It’s these small but powerful gestures that exemplify the organization’s dedication to compassionate, hometown care.
The mission remains unchanged despite the recent name change to West Tennessee Healthcare Home Health and Hospice. “The biggest change is the sign outside,” Anna said. She proudly noted that we’re still the same team, offering the same high-quality care, but now we have more resources to build on our strong foundation. Carman echoed Anna’s sentiment, sharing her hopes for the future. With West Tennessee Healthcare, we hope to see more medical options, more access to different types of services, and an expanded network to reach more patients and families.
Looking ahead, the team at West Tennessee Healthcare Home Health and Hospice remains focused on its mission of providing top-tier care with a unique personal touch. We love to boast about our quality team including the best and most caring clinicians. We’re proud to offer services from such a knowledgeable and caring group. It’s uncommon to see Home Health and Hospice care become this personal. Rather than dealing with constantly changing nurses or calling only to find yourself talking to someone at a call center in a different city, West Tennessee Healthcare Home Health and Hospice is proud to be local. Our nurses invest their lives into their patients to build trust and a truly personal connection. When you call the 24/7 on-call nurse, you speak with one of the local nurses who works with patients right here in Henry County. Patients get to see the same nurses day in and day out to create that special bond. Serving our community with high-quality care is what matters most.
We’re excited to celebrate 30 years of this essential service. As we continue growing and expanding, we’re always looking for volunteers. Whether it’s through music therapy, art therapy, pet therapy, or simply providing companionship, the team welcomes anyone willing to share their time and talents. Because at its core, West Tennessee Healthcare Home Health and Hospice thrives on community—a community of caregivers, patients, and volunteers who all come together to make a difference, one life at a time.
