Pam Mathews
February 2021
Pam
Mathews
,
RN
Hospice
Augusta Health
Fishersville
,
VA
United States
Pam continued to provide compassionate care to her, under the most challenging times of the COVID pandemic, and just as importantly, Pam was a lifeline of communication with our family, as we could not visit.
Since 2017 my wife and I have lost all four of our parents. Pam Mathews cared for three of them. In 2019, my father suffered from Alzheimer's disease, chronic heart failure, and COPD. As his health deteriorated he was enrolled in hospice. Pam was assigned to care for him. My mother, also suffering from Alzheimer's, with memory loss and confusion, was present throughout his last months of life.
After my father's death, Pam continued to "check-in" on my mother, providing social visits and communicating with our family as her mental and physical condition deteriorated. In October 2019, it was Pam who first brought to our attention that my mother's condition was such that hospice might be warranted. After consultation with the facility medical staff and her physician, my mother was enrolled in hospice care. During the year 2020, Pam continued to provide compassionate care to her, under the most challenging times of the COVID pandemic, and just as importantly, Pam was a lifeline of communication with our family, as we could not visit. The knowledge that Pam was there to care for my mother gave us confidence she was well cared for. Pam's frequent calls and messages brought peace of mind.
In June, my mother-in-law began suffering the effects of chronic heart disease. Pam was assigned to care for her, also and though she passed shortly after enrolling in hospice care, it was a relief to the family to know Pam would be taking care of her.
During the three year journey of Alzheimer's disease and caring for our ailing parents and their collective deaths, Pam has always provided professional and compassionate nursing care to her patients. Her presence as their care provider has given our family confidence in their care. She always made herself available to us, regardless of the day or hour, called frequently to give us updates when we couldn't visit and comforted us in word and deed throughout our journey. Pam is the epitome of a hospice nurse. My wife, a retired nurse manager and past President of our state's Board of Nursing recognizes professional nursing and regards Pam as an Extraordinary Nurse. Our family will always be indebted to her and grateful for the care she provided to our family.
After my father's death, Pam continued to "check-in" on my mother, providing social visits and communicating with our family as her mental and physical condition deteriorated. In October 2019, it was Pam who first brought to our attention that my mother's condition was such that hospice might be warranted. After consultation with the facility medical staff and her physician, my mother was enrolled in hospice care. During the year 2020, Pam continued to provide compassionate care to her, under the most challenging times of the COVID pandemic, and just as importantly, Pam was a lifeline of communication with our family, as we could not visit. The knowledge that Pam was there to care for my mother gave us confidence she was well cared for. Pam's frequent calls and messages brought peace of mind.
In June, my mother-in-law began suffering the effects of chronic heart disease. Pam was assigned to care for her, also and though she passed shortly after enrolling in hospice care, it was a relief to the family to know Pam would be taking care of her.
During the three year journey of Alzheimer's disease and caring for our ailing parents and their collective deaths, Pam has always provided professional and compassionate nursing care to her patients. Her presence as their care provider has given our family confidence in their care. She always made herself available to us, regardless of the day or hour, called frequently to give us updates when we couldn't visit and comforted us in word and deed throughout our journey. Pam is the epitome of a hospice nurse. My wife, a retired nurse manager and past President of our state's Board of Nursing recognizes professional nursing and regards Pam as an Extraordinary Nurse. Our family will always be indebted to her and grateful for the care she provided to our family.