Angela Willis – Hospice Hero

Angela Willis – Hospice Hero

(Angela and her family)

Part of living the hospice promise is to recognize those everyday moments that may have a lasting impact on someone’s life. Angela Willis, CNA/office assistant at UT Home-Based Palliative Care in Knoxville, Tenn., totally understands this approach.

Recently, the program had a patient who needed help. The patient was contracted, bedbound and only able to communicate using a whiteboard. Angela volunteered to leave the office and make a home visit to help her. When Angela arrived, she communicated to the patient each step of what they were attempting to do. She asked the patient to give her a “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” – to indicate if they were doing good or needed to stop.

Angela was extremely patient and as gentle as possible with her care. The patient was so relaxed and comfortable that Angela was able to wash, brush and blow dry her hair, probably for the first time in a long time. She was signaling “thumbs up” the whole time!

When Angela was thanked for taking such great care of this patient, she replied, “Just to see the patient so happy to get her hair washed made my day!”

Thanks, Angela, for making a “moment” for this patient. Your gentleness and patience meant so much to this patient and her family. You are our Hospice Hero!

Lois Moyers – Hospice Hero

Grant Memorial Hospice – Petersburg, W.Va.

Grant Memorial Hospice in Petersburg, W.Va., was caring for a patient with lung cancer who was always extremely short of breath. Lois Moyers, CNA, was assigned to help him with a shower three days a week. Sometimes, due to his shortness of breath, she would question his ability to comfortably complete his shower, but he always wanted one and would tell her how good it made him feel.

Lois took extra time with him so he could move slower to save his breath – even though her schedule didn’t always allow for extra time. After he passed away, Lois received a card from his daughter which read:

“Dear Lois,

Thank you for the kindness and care you showed my father in the last three months of his life. He enjoyed his showers and his chats with you so much.

It takes a very loving and kind person to do your job with grace and keep a big strong man happy and allow him dignity when he probably feels like he has nothing left.

Thank you for using your gifts to help families during times of eminent tragedy. Your time in our home brought us all joy (especially Daddy).”

Thank you, Lois, for taking the time to understand what your patient wanted and making it happen. You definitely made his last days more comfortable and enjoyable and also provided support to his family. Lois, you are our Hospice Hero!

Lea Ann Mason – Hospice Hero

Housecalls Hospice – Parkersburg, W.Va.

(Lean Ann and husband, Brett)

Housecalls Hospice in Parkersburg, W.Va., received a referral from one of their local hospitals for a 49-year-old male who did not have any financial or family support. He was going to be sent to a long-term care nursing facility and had no clothes or undergarments.

Lea Ann Mason, PCR for Housecalls Hospice, went out on her own and bought the gentleman shirts, pants, socks and underwear so he would have something to wear besides a hospital gown.

Our hospices strive to meet the physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs of each patient. Sometimes that means medication adjustments, sometimes it can be facilitating end-of-life decisions, and sometimes it is just about preserving their dignity.

Lee Ann saw a need and acted on it – so this gentleman could go comfortably to his new home fully dressed (and with a few outfits to spare!). Just think of the impact we could have if each person reading this email helped at least one person a week in 2017! Sounds like a great New Year’s resolution.

Thanks, Lee Ann, for going above and beyond to support this patient during his transition. You are our Hospice Hero!

Robyn Jennings – Hospice Hero

Robyn Jennings – Hospice Hero

Robyn Jennings, RN, is the palliative care nurse for our University of Tennessee Palliative Program in Knoxville. Recently, one of her palliative patients was ready to move over to hospice, but did not want Robyn coming into his home because he was ashamed.

Robyn explained that we are not there for his home, but to take care of him – that we would not judge or treat him differently, no matter where he lived. The patient was still bothered, but finally agreed to let Robyn assess and admit him in her car in his driveway. He requested that visits be conducted in a car or on the front porch.

Of course, when the time inevitably comes the staff will have to enter the patient’s home, but right now they are building a relationship and caring for him in the setting where he is most comfortable.

Robyn said this was her first “car” admission. The patient shed many tears that day in the car as they discussed his options. Robyn had to get out of the car and go around to the passenger’s side to complete the assessment. She said it was an honor and privilege to serve the patient on his own terms.

Hospice is about meeting people who need our services where they are and allowing them to make choices about their care. Thank you, Robyn, for reminding us all of that fact. You are our Hospice Hero!