Spiritual Care Opens Pathways to Peace

By James “Jim” Andrews
Suncoast Hospice’s Director of Spiritual Care



Jim Andrews

One of the founding principles of the hospice movement is that caring for people faced with life-limiting illnesses requires attention to not only their medical needs but their psycho-social and spiritual needs as well. Suncoast Hospice is fortunate to have compassionate, highly-trained hospice chaplains dedicated to addressing those spiritual needs. 

I recently became the director of spiritual care for Suncoast Hospice. Before that, I served as one of our hospice chaplains for more than 12 years. It was a privilege and honor being a companion on the journeys of our patients and families.

One Man's Spiritual Pain

Whether you’re a religious person or not, facing a serious illness inherently brings up spiritual questions of meaning, purpose, comfort, forgiveness, relatedness and hope. I remember meeting one patient named "Connor" who lived inside a beautiful building in an exclusive part of town. The building's elevator had one stop on his floor and it opened in to his enormous, impeccably decorated home. I was greeted by a paid caregiver who took me back to the living room and introduced me to Connor. Before we finished shaking hands, Connor broke down in tears. 

We sat quietly together side by side on his couch, and after some time passed Connor was able to speak and share his story with me. On the surface, it sounded like the great American success story. He had started out selling door to door and over the years had worked his way up from regional sales manager to marketing vice president for an international corporation. He had more money than he knew what to do with and every creature comfort that his heart desired. Yet, he was filled with regret. 

Connor explained to me, “Jim, I spent my whole life chasing after the all-mighty dollar and I totally neglected what matters most in life.” I asked him what that was to him and he responded, “Faith, family and friends.”

He went on, “As a young man, I was very involved with my church and got a lot out of it. But I haven’t darkened the doorway of a church in decades. I cheated on my wife and never spent time with my children, so I’m estranged from all of them. I was always too concerned that my friends were just out for my money. So here I am facing the end of my life and there’s not a soul on the planet who really loves me and cares about what I’m going through.” 

Finding Peace Within

Connor faced some deep questions of faith, forgiveness and meaning, however with some support and guidance he was able to come to a sense of peaceful closure about his life and relationships. The chaplains and specially-trained volunteers of Suncoast Hospice and other hospices across the country provide a compassionate presence and a safe, gentle place for people to wrestle with their unanswered questions and pain in their souls. 

It’s an honor to work with our hospice’s incredible group of spiritual caregivers.

Are you or someone you love living with a serious illness?

Call us to find out about our services at 727-467-7423 or visit us online to request services.

*The patient's name was changed for privacy protection.

Suncoast Hospice Integrative Medicine Clinic Provides Comforting Care to Patients

Integrative medicine is a specialized kind of care that blends conventional medicine with therapies such as acupuncture to treat the whole patient. The care can help relieve the the physical, emotional and spiritual pain of a patient with a serious illness.

Suncoast Hospice physician Kirksak Jay Poonkasem, M.D. practices integrative medicine to bring much needed comfort to our hospice patients at our new Suncoast Hospice Integrative Medicine Clinic. Watch Dr. Poonkasem talk about integrative medicine and our care at the clinic in this video.  

Check back soon for a Part II video with Dr. Poonkasem telling the story of one patient who greatly benefited from the care at the clinic.

Suncoast Hospice Celebrates National Hospice and Palliative Care Month

By Deidra Woods, MD, FACP, FAAHPM, CMD
Suncoast Hospice Medical Director

Dr. Deidra Woods

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month: Hospice. Care on Your Terms. Palliative care is the medical specialty focused on the relief of symptoms associated with serious illness and hospice care is palliative care applied to patients nearing the end of life.   

I’d like to share what a privilege it has been for me to devote my medical career to this very special group of patients. The first reaction of my medical colleagues is usually, “Hospice does such a wonderful job. I appreciate all your organization does for my patients.”  But then they lean in closely, grab my arm tightly and whisper, “I don’t know how you could do that work.” I sincerely answer, “I can’t imagine doing any other work.”

Drawn to Hospice

Prior to working in hospice care, I practiced in Naples, Florida in a geriatric practice that supplied physician services to long term care facilities, including nursing homes and assisted living facilities. After about a year, a hospice nurse approached me in a nursing home and asked if I’d be interested in becoming a full time hospice physician. At that time in 1994, I wasn’t familiar with the concept of full time employment for physicians in hospice care. But her enthusiasm for her organization and conviction that I was suited for that work swayed me to interview for the position and I’ve been a hospice physician ever since. 

Rewarding Field 

The ability to relieve suffering and address the important issues and meaning of end of life are the greatest rewards in medicine. To my colleagues who are concerned that my work may be depressing, my answer is never. It’s ultimately the greatest feeling to know that I’ve helped a patient or family to have a meaningful experience as death approaches, with the patient as comfortable as possible.  

The loving care that families provide to hospice patients is an inspiration to us in our daily work. Our volunteers who provide countless hours of care and companionship to our frail elders remind us of the goodness and generosity of people. The courage that our patients and families demonstrate as they face the reality that life is finite and each day is a gift makes us thankful for our own blessings.   

The lessons I’ve learned at the bedsides of people whose lives are drawing to a close are the most valuable I’ve ever learned and have enriched my life immeasurably. Being allowed to share such intimate moments with families is a real gift.   

The practice of medicine itself is a very special career, made even more special when devoted to patients in hospice and palliative care. Please help us celebrate National Hospice and Palliative Care Month by visiting the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization website, nhpco.org.   

Have you been touched by hospice and palliative care? Tell us your story.

Suncoast Hospice Provides Care in ALFs and Nursing Homes

By Sherylee Hanson
Community Liaison

Sherylee Hanson

Did you know Suncoast Hospice provides care and support to our patients and families not only in their homes and assisted living facilities (ALFs) but in nursing homes, too?

Our services are the same in all settings, which may come as a surprise to some. For many in our Pinellas County community, the ALFs and nursing homes are their homes and Suncoast Hospice can be there to help those who are affected by advanced or chronic illnesses, caregiving or grief.

Our care teams are experts in hospice care and palliative care, also known as comfort care. It’s our privilege to partner with and work alongside the staff of these skilled and assisted living facilities to provide specialized physical, emotional and spiritual care to our patients and families. We work together with our patients and families and their doctors and health care providers to establish personalized care plans that honor the decisions and wishes of our patients and families. Our goal is to bring them improved quality of life. 

Some of the members of our care teams include board-certified hospice and palliative medicine physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, licensed counselors and therapists, chaplains, certified home health nurses aides and trained volunteers. Our teams provide pain and symptom management, palliative therapies (pet, music, massage, aroma, etc.), emotional and spiritual counseling, caregiver training and support, family support and more.

Our services may be paid for by Medicare, Medicaid, managed care, private health insurance, private payments and the generous financial support of our community. Through community donations, we’re able to care for all who need us regardless of their ability to pay.       

I believe there is hope in hospice and at Suncoast Hospice we’ve learned how to redefine hope. Many find that at this time in their lives they hope for new things. It can manifest itself in ways, such as when our patients benefit from our pet therapy. A majority of our pet therapy visits happen in nursing homes, ALFs and our care centers. We had one patient who had closed himself off from others, and only after trying pet therapy did he open up to the dogs that visited him, his care team and others.

Our teams are there to be supportive and bring comfort, dignity and hope in the journeys of our patients and families. Most patients and families say they wish they had called us sooner. It’s never too early to ask about our care and services. 

Are you wondering if it’s time for hospice for you or a loved one?

Call us any time for information at 727-467-7423 or submit an online request form.

Suncoast Hospice Recognized for High–Quality Patient Care

By Laurie West
Suncoast Hospice director of quality and service

Laurie West

It was a big honor for Suncoast Hospice to receive Deyta’s 1st annual Hospice Honors Award this past spring. This award recognized our hospice as one of the top hospice agencies in the U.S. to provide the highest level of satisfaction in patient care as rated by the patients’ caregivers. 

We’re benchmarked nationally with the Family Evaluation of Hospice Care surveys, and to be honored as one of the top hospices for our patient and family satisfaction is remarkable. We’re committed to patient and family–centered care. The voices of our patients and families are extremely important. That’s what defines our care and leads us.

It touches my heart when I read the comments from our surveys. One common theme is  compassion. A lot also say, my loved one died at peace and my loved one died with dignity. Many also state, thank you for taking care of me, the caregiver.  

To me, this recognition shows that no matter what discipline you are, it’s what we all do together that touches our patients and families. From our physicians to our volunteers to our DME (durable medical equipment) drivers, we are all one team. 

Our care teams go above and beyond to provide compassionate care to our patients and families. I heard a recent story about one of our nurses who sat and held a patient’s hand and sang to that patient. Our staff and volunteers are always there to provide that wonderful human presence.  

Have you been touched by our care? Please share your story.

Is It Time For Hospice Care?

By Sue Rice, RN, CHPN

Suncoast Hospice Director of Admission Practices

Sue Rice, Suncoast Hospice Dir. of Admission Practices

“I wish we had known about your services sooner.” This is the most common feedback we hear from our community when they share their Suncoast Hospice experiences.

As a registered nurse working at Suncoast Hospice for the past 19 years, I understand how difficult the first conversation about hospice can be. I also understand that it can be just as difficult for physicians and families to start the conversation. I'm specially trained to visit patients and families to help educate and guide them as they consider if it’s time for hospice.

I recently met with a gentleman and his wife at their home and assessed him for our services. He told me, “Hospice just sounds so final.” I was grateful that he had opened the emotional door and allowed me to come in and explain the value of accepting hospice care sooner rather than later.

As he and his devoted wife shared their journey of living with a serious illness, they recognized that there comes a time when the battle is about quality of life. “I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired,” he shared. I listened as he recounted the numerous tests, doctors’ appointments and emergency room visits he had experienced because of the increasing symptoms that were robbing him of comfort, sleep, energy and overall enjoyment of life. 

As I explained that our interdisciplinary medical teams of hospice professionals are available to quickly and effectively manage his pain and symptoms at home, his wife expressed relief that she could call us any time, day or night. I also discussed our care centers as alternatives to more hospital stays. I explained how our expert physicians and staff provide quick and effective pain and symptom management in the care centers’ compassionate and calm environments, allowing patients to return home after their pain is resolved. “That sounds wonderful,” he said.

After our conversation, the couple agreed that it made perfect sense to accept hospice care sooner. And their feelings of fear and finality were exchanged for hope and relief.

This same peace of mind can benefit all hospice care patients and their families, wherever the patients reside, including homes, hospitals, nursing homes and assisted and independent living facilities. Especially if loved ones can’t be at the bedsides or live out of state, it’s comforting to know that our skilled care teams are there to work together with healthcare partners to provide tailored care and support to patients and keep families informed.

It all begins with a visit with one of our trained hospice representatives who can inform you about your care options.

We’re here for you. If you’d like to hear more about our services, please call us any time at 727-467-7423.

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.