Support & Resources for Metro Atlanta & North Georgia Families

A doctor smiling and talking to a patient who is also smiling, with the doctor placing a hand on the patient's shoulder in a friendly gesture.

Support Begins With Education

At Lotus Blossom Hospice, we understand that serious illness affects the entire family. That's why we provide comprehensive resources and support programs designed to help you navigate every aspect of your journey—from planning ahead to grieving after loss.

Knowledge helps reduce fear. Information empowers decisions, and understanding what to expect brings peace of mind.

Explore our resources below or contact us at (404) 975-3125 if you need guidance finding what you need.

Advance Care Planning

Advance Directives: Plan Ahead for Peace of Mind

One of the most important gifts you can give your family is clarity about your healthcare wishes. Advance directives are legal documents that spell out your decisions about end-of-life care ahead of time—eliminating the worry and stress your loved ones might feel about "doing the right thing."

Lotus Blossom's professional staff assists clients, family members, and caregivers in preparing their advance directives at no cost.

What Are Advance Directives?

Living Will
A living will documents your wishes about medical treatment in writing, should you be unable to communicate at the end of life.
With a living will, you can accept or refuse medical care such as:

  • The use of dialysis and breathing machines

  • Whether or not you would like to be resuscitated if your breathing or heartbeat stops

  • Tube feeding

  • Organ or tissue donation


Medical Power of Attorney (also called "Health Care Proxy" or "Health Care Agent")
A medical power of attorney enables you to appoint someone you trust to make decisions about your medical care if you're unable to make decisions for yourself.

How We Can Help:

  • Guidance on completing advance directive documents

  • Education about what these documents mean and why they matter

  • Support facilitating family conversations about end-of-life wishes

  • Assistance understanding the legal requirements in Georgia

Why This Matters

Having these conversations and completing these documents in advance:

-Reduces stress when difficult decisions need to be made
-Ensures your wishes are honored
-Relieves family members of the burden of guessing what you would want
-Prevents conflict among family members
-Allows you to make educated decisions with input from loved ones


Begin the conversation now—before it becomes urgent.

Grief Support

Online Grief Support Group: You Don't Have to Grieve Alone

"I miss him so much—will I ever feel any better?”
“It's been a while now...why am I still so sad?”
“People tell me I need to get on with my life, but I don't look forward to anything. What's wrong with me? Am I going crazy?"

If you're asking these questions, you're not alone. Grief can be a long, difficult journey—and we're here to walk it with you.

Our grief support group provides:

  • A safe, confidential space to share your feelings

  • Connection with others who truly understand what

  • you're going through

  • Guidance from experienced facilitators

  • Permission to grieve at your own pace

  • Reassurance that what you're feeling is normal

You don't have to attend every week. Come when you need support.

Additional Bereavement Support:
If your loved one was a Lotus Blossom Hospice patient, you also receive:

  • Individual grief counseling for 13 months after death

  • Regular check-ins from our bereavement coordinator

  • Annual Celebration of Life memorial service

  • Resources and referrals for additional support

Why This Matters

When: Tuesday mornings, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Where: Online via Webex Who: All are welcome—whether your loved one was a Lotus Blossom Hospice patient or not

Cost: Free Join when you can. No commitment required.

How to Join:

-Go to www.webex.com
-Select "Join a Meeting"
-Enter the Meeting Number: 2556 826 3296
-Select continue
-Enter the meeting password: GriefHope
-Select OK
-Select "Join Meeting"

Alzheimer’s & Dementia Programs

Memorable Melodies: Music Therapy for Alzheimer's & Dementia

At Lotus Blossom Hospice, we believe that music is good for the soul.

This specialized program is designed for hospice-appropriate loved ones with end-stage Alzheimer's, dementia, or cognitive disorders. Memorable Melodies provides a non-pharmacological approach to comfort and support through the power of music.

Why Music Matters:
Research suggests that memories of music are not damaged by Alzheimer's disease—they're often preserved in key brain areas linked to these memorable melodies. Even when someone can no longer communicate verbally, music can reach them.

Music can:

  • Reduce depression and anxiety

  • Relieve stress

  • Reduce agitation

  • Help reconnect loved ones who have difficulty communicating

  • Reduce caregiver stress and anxiety

Tips for Using Music with Alzheimer's:

  • Choose meaningful music. What songs evoke memories of happy times? Consider songs from their youth, wedding songs, lullabies they sang to children.

  • Match music to mood. Play soothing music to calm your loved one during morning routines. Play upbeat music to boost mood.

  • Avoid overstimulation. Eliminate competing noises like TV when playing music.

  • Encourage movement. Clap, sing, or tap feet to the rhythm. Dance together if physically possible.

  • Sing along. Encourage your loved one to sing—it helps stimulate unique memories.

  • Pay attention to reactions. If your loved one enjoys particular songs, play them often.

How the Program Works:

Step 1: Personalized Playlist We speak with family members to gather information about your loved one's favorite songs—melodies that evoke memories of happy times in their life.

Step 2: Equipment Provided Lotus Blossom Hospice provides a small music device (such as an MP3 player) loaded with your loved one's personalized playlist. Each playlist is as unique as your loved one.

Step 3: Ongoing Support Our team provides guidance on how to use music most effectively throughout the day.

This program is available for hospice patients with:
-End-stage Alzheimer's disease
-Dementia
-Cognitive disorders

Caregiver Support

You Can’t Pour From an Empty Cup

Caring for a loved one is a selfless, loving task—but it's also exhausting. Many caregivers ignore their own needs in their devotion to their loved ones, leading to fatigue, burnout, and health problems.

Our mission includes caring for caregivers. We provide encouragement, guidance, and support as you make adjustments to your life.

What We Provide:

Respite Care
Regular breaks so you can rest, run errands, or simply breathe.

Education & Training Guidance on:

  • How to provide care safely

  • Recognizing signs of disease progression

  • When to call for help

  • Managing medications

  • Preventing caregiver burnout


Connections to Resources Information about:

  • Support groups for caregivers

  • Financial assistance programs

  • Home care agencies if additional hours are needed

  • Community resources specific to your situation

Emotional Support
Our social workers provide counseling and a listening ear as you navigate the challenges of caregiving.

24/7 Access
You're never alone. Our clinical team is available around the clock to answer questions and provide guidance.

Taking care of yourself isn't selfish—it's necessary. You can't provide excellent care for your loved one if you're depleted.

Volunteer Services

Volunteers are an important part of the hospice team and provide support that complements the care from our professional staff.

Hospice volunteers provide valuable support to patients and families, including:
-Running errands
-Preparing light meals
-Staying with a patient to give family members a break (respite)
-Lending emotional support and companionship


All volunteers are carefully screened through an application, interview, and background check process.

They also complete organized training covering:
-Understanding hospice care
-Confidentiality
-Working with families
-Listening skills
-Signs and symptoms of approaching death
-Loss, grief, and bereavement support

Helpful Links & Community Resources

Quick Answers To Common Questions

  • Now is the best time to learn more about hospice and ask questions about what to expect from hospice services.

    Although end-of-life care may be difficult to discuss, it's best for family members to share their wishes long before it becomes a concern. This can greatly reduce stress when the time for hospice is needed.

    By having these discussions in advance, patients aren't forced into uncomfortable situations. Instead, patients can make educated decisions that include the advice and input of family members and loved ones.

    You don't have to be in crisis to call us. We're here to answer questions and provide information whenever you're ready.

  • Typically, hospice care starts as soon as a formal request or "referral" is made by the patient's doctor.
    Timeline:

    • Often we visit within 48 hours of referral (depending on patient/family schedule)

    • Usually, hospice care begins within a day or two of referral

    • In urgent situations, hospice services can begin within hours

    For palliative care, the process is similar but doesn't require the same level of urgency.

  • Yes. Hospice and palliative care services can be provided to a person wherever they live.

    This means patients in nursing facilities, assisted living communities, or long-term care facilities can receive specialized visits from:

    • Hospice nurses

    • Certified nursing assistants

    • Chaplains or rabbi

    • Social workers

    • Volunteers

    These services are provided in addition to the care from the facility staff.

  • Hospice is covered by most insurance plans with little to no out-of-pocket costs.

    Medicare Hospice Benefit covers:

    • Services of the hospice team (nurses, aides, social workers, chaplains)

    • Medications related to the terminal illness

    • Medical equipment and supplies

    • Different levels of care when patients require special attention

    Important notes:

    • Medications for conditions NOT related to the terminal illness (like allergy medication) are not covered by hospice benefit

    • Our team helps you understand exactly what's covered before you begin services

    Palliative care is covered under Medicare Part B, similar to doctor visits. Small copays may apply.


    [View detailed coverage information on our Services page

  • The best time is before you're in crisis.

    After a diagnosis of life-limiting illness, patients and their families should consider their choices for care. A patient does not have to be bed-bound or critically ill to be admitted to hospice.

    Having conversations early:

    • Reduces stress when hospice is actually needed

    • Allows time for everyone to process and ask questions

    • Ensures decisions are made thoughtfully, not in crisis

    • Gives families time to explore options

    We're happy to talk with you or your family about the hospice option anytime—even if you're just exploring possibilities.