Angie Harrod showed professionalism, kindness, and patience when confronted with a very challenging, severely and persistently mentally ill patient that showed up in her caseload in August.
Every week the patient resisted Angie's visits, he was often contentious, oppositional and unpleasant. The house was filthy and foul smelling even to this social worker's standards. The patient was unkempt, often unclothed and unwilling to accept PCS service. Always a professional, Angie persevered with patience, kindness, and respect. Week after week Angie gained ground and eventually won a tiny bit of trust.
When it came to a head as Angie predicted, she stepped up showing leadership. She called in her interdisciplinary team and provided superior care offering reassurance, kindness, and respect. The patient opposed going to the Dayton Hospice House at first, but relented and allowed the ambulance staff to take him. Because of Angie's commitment to her patient and to the mission of Ohio's Hospice of Dayton, the patient was finally made comfortable physically, mentally and emotionally. The patient's daughter, who had been estranged for 20 years, took the opportunity to drive to Dayton to say goodbye to her father. The patient died peacefully and with dignity the following day.