megan steffen, BSN, RN

Recently, a 102-year-old patient of ours entered hospice care through Lincolnland Hospice. She was a spirited, spunky lady and we enjoyed her so much! She had definite opinions about what she wanted and didn't want, and what she didn't want, was to go to a nursing home. She did not have family in the area. She lived at a local assisted living facility and until the last few months, remained fairly independent!
As her condition worsened, she was in a difficult position again when the assisted living facility's regulations only allowed the medication to be administered by a nurse or family member. This was not available 24 hours a day so they wanted her to go to the nursing home.
By this time, she was no longer talking or interacting with those around her, but Megan knew this was not what she wanted. Instead of her going to the nursing home, Megan volunteered to come out at night and administer her medications. Megan gave the caregivers her personal phone number. When she needed medication at night, Megan went to the assisted living facility and gave it to her.
I would like to thank Megan and applaud her commitment to our patient. Megan's willingness to provide care to our patient when and where she needed it, allowed her to die peacefully in her home.