My Grandma was one of the best individuals who has ever been in our lives. She was so full of life and her love was contagious. After hospitalization in August, it was decided that Grandma would need HFM Homecare. My mom and I were so glad we chose HFM Homecare and the following paragraphs will tell you why.
My mom and I loved Grandma so much and I (being a nurse as well) was having a hard time allowing anyone else to come into Grandma's home and be her caregiver. My mom and I would be gentle, caring, loving and compassionate with Grandma, but would another nurse? The answer to that is yes. Let me explain- Grandma had severe scoliosis as well as osteoporosis. She was frail and needed someone to take time to be patient and very gentle with her. The moment I met Sara, I was blown away. She exceeded any expectation of being a nurse and was so loving not only towards my Grandma but also towards my Grandpa, Mom and me. She is so kind, gentle, loving and compassionate about her job as a nurse. She treated my Grandma like it was her Grandma and her family. Grandma needed a bath and was so concerned about having anyone else come into her home, so Sara helped give her a shower. You don't see many nurses doing work that a CNA could do, but not only did Sara say she was happy to do it, but you could tell she really meant it. This made my Grandma so happy. There was no greater feeling than to see Grandma smile and be comfortable with this one of a kind homecare nurse.
When Sara came for another visit she noted that Grandma's oxygen levels were dangerously low. She, in a very caring, but concerned way encouraged Grandma along with my mom's help to get Grandma to the ER. Because Sara is so wonderful, she didn't want to stop her care with Grandma once she was admitted to the hospital, she gave my mom her personal cellphone number and said to call or text anytime with concerns or questions. The decision was made later that afternoon that Grandma would be admitted to Hospice. For my Grandpa, Mom and me, along with the rest of the family, it was an extremely overwhelming and sad, but necessary decision. Sara stayed in contact with my mom throughout the day and would have been willing to admit my Grandma to hospice that afternoon if she would have wanted. My Grandma was still wanting to get back home at that time. Sara was always putting my Grandma's needs and concerns ahead of anything else she might have had going on.
We had multiple family discussions and it was decided that Grandma would go to St. Mary's on Hospice, Sara continued to be in contact with my Mom, answering all questions that we had along the way. She continued to text my mom daily, just to check in and see how things were going. I desperately wanted to care for my Grandma in her own home along with the help of other family members, but Sara gave our family the greatest gift she has ever given anyone, she allowed us just to be her family members and not the caregiver. I truly believed that no one could care for Grandma the way I thought she deserved to be cared for and loved, but Sara proved me wrong in the best possible way. Sara, along with the nurses and CNAs at St. Mary's, provided my Grandma absolutely outstanding care. I got to spend the final week of my Grandma's life just being her granddaughter and getting to sit there and hold her hand. Sara, there was no greater blessing than that for me. I can't thank you enough.
Sara came to see my Grandma the day before she went home to Heaven. She didn't take vital signs, she just simply sat down next to Grandma. She held her hand. She talked to my mom and me like we were just friends having a regular conversation. Deep down, I knew that Sara saw a decline in Grandma and knew that death was near. She encouraged my mom and me to have the nurses give Grandma Morphine and Lorazepam as we saw fit. Being a nurse, I understand why these medications would be given, but it was really nice to have a nurse explain it to me because when it is someone you love who is dying, you need someone to explain those things to you.
Sara, you gave me the greatest gift anyone could give, you allowed my Mom and me to spend quality time with Grandma and be her family members, not her caregiver. There is no one who could have cared for Grandma better than Sara. Our family can't thank Sara enough. Sara came to Grandma's funeral and it brought a tear to all of our family members eyes. A Hospice nurse who cared enough, even after death to make sure our family was doing okay and to pay her respects, she was truly outstanding. There are no words good enough to describe an angel here on earth, but Sara is exactly that, an angel. We truly love her. Thank you, Sara, for being absolutely perfect. Holy Family is more than lucky to have you working here as a nurse and our family was blessed because of you.