Recently, my father was admitted to your facility. My father has dementia, as well as Parkinson’s Disease. He’s not the easiest to deal with when he’s out of his element and he requires a great deal of assistance. One of your nurses went above and beyond during his admission. Karen showed my father respect and compassion. She allowed him to keep some of the dignity this horrible disease has stolen from him.
Karen was our lifeline. On the days she worked, she ensured his wife and I remained informed and were able to speak with him. She returned our phone calls and always made us feel like she had time to listen to our concerns. Not only did she hear us, but she would ensure our concerns were addressed. My father received his first COVID-19 vaccine dose and he was due for his second vaccine the week he was admitted. Karen worked tirelessly to help us get my father his second dose. She was an amazing liaison between our family and his healthcare team.
As a healthcare provider, I had a vague understanding of how this pandemic affects patients and family members. I’m not sure it’s something you truly understand until you are placed in that situation. Not being able to visit my father and some days not being able to speak to him was incredibly difficult. Karen eased some of my anxieties. I always knew when she was his nurse that he was receiving the same care she would provide to her own family member.
The very definition of caring is displaying kindness and concern for others. You have a gem in Karen Saracen. She was certainly our bedside angel and is beyond deserving of the DAISY Award.