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.