Providing Patient Care in the Home

Giovanni Bordignon

Our staff and volunteers have the honor of providing care and support in the homes of our patients and families. They get to know patients and families, and honor their care choices.

Giovanni Bordignon is a counselor with one of our home–based care teams. When he goes into homes, he learns everything he can about those in his care so he can make them feel comfortable.

“Our care teams support our patients and their families and caregivers by getting to know their stories. We openly answer the personal questions they ask us. We offer validation and affirmation to their choices of treatment and provide any clarification they need. We embrace their lifestyles and environments, taking roles as guests in their homes,” Giovanni said.

He says developing good relationships from the start helps bring enormous relief. “It’s quite amazing to experience their relief and comfort once we are able to provide them with information and resources. The relationships are well–established and a good rapport is found,” he said.

Joan Briant also likes going into the homes of families to provide help. She’s a registered nurse (RN) with our supplemental staff–PRN department who works in admissions and talks with families about our care.

“I’m really grateful for this job. It’s great to go into families’ homes and find out what they need. A lot of times they feel relieved,” Joan said.

Do you have a story about the care you or a family member received at home? Please share it.

Teen Volunteers Spread Cheer

(left to right) Patient Corinda Pecchio enjoys visit
with Cheer Team members Carina Gobes,  Jenna Rugel,
Nandini Adhikari, Katie Johnson and Max Tansky

Our teen volunteers support our patients and families in many ways. One way they provide support is serving on Cheer Teams, visiting with patients and families to uplift their spirits.  

One of our Cheer Teams, all good friends, was full of zest one Friday afternoon as they met with their patients and families at Stratford Court of Palm Harbor assisted living facility. They spread cheer singing a mix of holiday tunes. They couldn't think of a better way to spend their afternoon.

“Cheer Team is fun. I really like to do it. The patients may have no one to talk to and we can fill that void,” said Nandini Adhikari as her team gathered beforehand. Carina Gobes agreed, “It’s a good feeling. They say this is good for them but it’s good for us, too.”

The cheer team prepares to delight Corinda with a song

On this day, the team had fun bringing music to one of their dearest couples at Stratford. In the future, the teens hope to learn how to do the do si do square dance, which has been requested. They aimed to do whatever they could to bring happiness to this couple. “You look at them and think that’s what I want to be like in 80 years,” said Jenna Rugel.

Making a Connection 

The team looks forward to volunteering each week. They enjoy spending time with their patients – listening to stories, delivering crafts, laughing, singing, dancing and even praying.

“We have had a patient who doesn’t speak English but is religious. He prays to us in Polish,” said Max Tansky. Carina added, “It’s almost like language isn’t a barrier.”

The teens do grow close to their patients and feel a loss when they die. But they appreciate all the time they do get to provide compassion and joy. “I remember one of our patients who died. We only had three visits with her. It’s cool to have had that bond with them. And you know they are in a better place,” Jenna said.

Do you know any teens who are interested in becoming volunteers? Please call for information on our teen volunteer program.

Providing Care and Support in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs)

Did you know Suncoast Hospice provides care in nursing homes and assisted living facilities (ALFs)? We value the partnerships we have with these local facilities allowing us to come in and provide hospice care where the patient is most comfortable.

Some of our hospice aides serve our patients and families in nursing homes and assisted living facilities (ALFs). They work together with Suncoast Hospice staff and facilities’ staff to provide care and support.

Cristina Diamantopoulos

Collaborating on Patient Care

Cristina Diamantopoulos is a hospice aide with one of our facility–based care teams. Cristina loves working for Suncoast Hospice and the team collaboration in caring for her patients and families.

“Suncoast Hospice’s care for patients and support to families are wonderful and I’m lucky to be part of it. As a certified nursing assistant (CNA), I work closely with a Suncoast Hospice nurse who is assigned to a nursing home or ALF. The nurse, the facility and I build a relationship and work collectively to serve our patients,” Cristina said.

She added how everyone is involved in the care planning. “We have care plan meetings with the facilities and family members to discuss the best courses of action and how we may assist in care. We must keep the lines of communication open so we can respond to patients as their health and needs change. We always support the choices of the patients, families and facilities. It’s all about the patients and doing what’s beneficial for them to improve their quality of life.”

Carol Hogan

Working Together to Support Patients & Families

Carol Hogan, another facility–based care team hospice aide and CNA, enjoys the connection she has with her patients and families and the facilities’ staff.

“I’m greeted with smiles and warmth when walking into a nursing home or ALF that partners with Suncoast Hospice. The staff always is ready and willing to assist with our patients’ needs and inform us of any changes in their health. A bond is created with the patients, hospice aides and facility aides,” Carol said.

Carol said her patients and families receive lots of support. “Families benefit from the entire Suncoast Hospice care teams including our chaplains, volunteers and other team members. All the right people work together to care for our patients and families. We all want the same things for them – love, kindness, comfort and peace of mind.”

Has someone you know received care by one of our hospice aides in an ALF or nursing home? Please share your story.

Award-Winning Volunteer Supports Patients and Families

Judy Gauron

Judy H. Gauron is an extraordinary volunteer who is dedicated to supporting our patients, families and organization. Last week she was honored for her service as the winner of Tampa Bay Business Journal’s 2012 Health Care Heroes volunteer award.

Judy serves in multiple roles including office support, welcome center, community outreach, patient and family support, mentoring new volunteers and pet therapy. She and her dog, Theo, bring lots of comfort and joy visiting patients and families with one of our north Pinellas care teams and Suncoast Hospice Care Center North Pinellas as well as nursing homes.

Judy & Theo

“Pet therapy is a powerful form of palliative care. When patients stroke Theo they reminisce about the happy times with their pets. Family life is always at the forefront for patients at the care center. I feel that during our visits with patients, the difficulties of the present are forgotten as they revisit those cherished moments of the past. Families also are uplifted by our visits. Our conversations flow easily and we form bonds through the love for our dogs,” Judy said.

As a hospice volunteer she seizes every opportunity to enrich lives.   

“The best ways we volunteers can serve our patients and families is to listen, respect, comfort and bring as much happiness to them as the situations allow. Even if we only touch one heart on any particular day, our pledge to make a difference in someone’s life has been fulfilled,” she said.

Has a hospice volunteer made a difference in your life? Share your story below.

Are you interested in volunteering? Come to a volunteer training in Palm Harbor, Clearwater or St. Petersburg.

Inside the Role of a Physical Therapist

Patient Joseph Luppens is guided by
 physical therapist assistant Marcia Warren

October is National Physical Therapy Month, recognizing physical therapists and physical therapist assistants who help improve people’s body movement. Physical therapy can greatly benefit those who have advanced illnesses and difficulty moving. Our physical therapy team helps our patients with their flexibility and teaches their family members and caregivers how to safely move them. 

The team visits patients in their homes or facilities and all three of our care centers. They find their work incredibly rewarding.

“We're doing palliative care for our patients. Physical therapy helps them to regain strength and function. There is a psychological component for patients, too, because this gives them some hope and self–determination to be able to maintain themselves as long as possible. It also can reduce stress with families when patients can do more for themselves,” said Connie Dykeman, physical therapist assistant.

Connie said she’s glad to provide this specialized care. “Suncoast Hospice stands out among other hospices because we offer therapies and understand the global aspects about what is needed to help our patients,” Connie said.

Patient’s Success

Marcia Warren, physical therapist assistant, is proud of the progress of her patient, Joseph Luppens. During a visit at his home, she assisted him with his bicycle pedal exercises and walks with his walker. She had him take breaks in between and checked his pulse and oxygen saturation. “You did a good job,” Marcia said. Joseph replied, “I had a wonderful partner.”

Marcia credited Joseph’s improvements to his positive attitude and will to learn. “When I first came he wasn’t able to do this. A big part of it is that he is motivated. He can do transfers without contact guard (being pulled up), which helps him and his caregivers. Walking with a walker is good for his energy level and safe for his balance,” she said.

Educating Families, Caregivers and Care Teams

The physical therapy team works a lot with families, discussing moving, walking, transferring, motion exercises, adaptive equipment needs, DME (durable medical equipment) needs and pain modalities. The team also speaks with our care teams, focusing on body mechanics, DME and disease processes and how to work with those patients.

Marcia checks out Joseph's new walker delivered by
DME driver William Selden

Michele Galanti, physical therapist, along with Julie Douglass, director of palliative care, have helped educate caregivers as instructors with our Confident Caregiver Training.

“We have addressed the caregivers’ specific needs, such as if they’re having trouble getting someone in to bed or a recliner. We also have covered general topics, such as safety, body mechanics, use of equipment and other things that would help them in the home. We have enjoyed doing the hands-on demonstrations and being a resource to the community,” Michele said.

Have you benefited from physical therapy? Post your story.

Are you interested in working for Suncoast Hospice? Check out our openings. 

Supporting the Care Team

By Debbie Shaffer
Care team leader

Debbie Shaffer

Patient care has changed for me in the past five years. I transitioned from providing care to our patients in their homes as a registered nurse (RN) to managing one of our home-based care teams.

Now my main contact with patients and families is via phone. I love putting a face with a voice on the phone and hearing families talk about the care they’re receiving and connections they’re making with our staff. I also love it when I make home visits. Interacting one-on-one with patients and their families is truly an honor. It reminds me how precious and unique our work is. 

I believe that everyone on our team has the best interests of the patients at heart and want to serve others. Recently, it has been raining fiercely, but no one has complained that the weather has interfered with doing their jobs. They just do it because they want to help others.

My way of serving patients now is to provide support, understanding, compassion and guidance to our team. I think that if the team is well taken care of then the patients on the team are well cared for. 

Improving Quality of Life

By Donald Simmler
Suncoast Hospice physician

Dr. Donald Simmler

As a Suncoast Hospice physician, I work with our care teams and community physicians doing home care. Most people wish to remain at home when they're dying. It's a closer, more personal connection and a privilege to be invited into people’s homes to care for them.

I witness how patients and their families deal with the difficulties of day-to-day living, handling things as best as they can. They've been given a life-altering message, “It’s time to consider hospice.” They may be uneasy – feeling angry, frightened, distressed, skeptical and distrusting. They may have misconceptions about what we do.

Each patient and family is unique. My care starts with understanding the histories of our patients and their families, where they are now and what their hopes are.

At Suncoast Hospice, patient and family respect comes first. Patients’ and families’ care decisions and wishes always need to be respected. I assist our remarkable care teams with easing distressing symptoms, improving functionality, managing medications and offering recommendations that may improve the well-being of our patients. Our goals are to help people live the best way they can for as long as their sickness allows and, when we no longer can help in this way and as time becomes very limited, we provide more intense support and comfort.

I stand with our whole Suncoast Hospice community, including our extended support staff and wonderful volunteers, as we together help those who are dying and their families. We care for them. We care with them. We walk beside them. We cry with them.