I just wanted to thank your organization and a big special thanks to the nurse Jennifer. She cared for my grandma Gladus at the facility in Dade City off of Clinton Road. My grandma passed away this morning at your facility at about 2:30 a.m. It was a great loss for us but a big win for heaven. Your facility gave her dignity and peace to the end. I am so glad you were there. I wish I could say more but pretty upset right now. But, again, please thank everyone involved for me; you have our family’s utmost respect and heartfelt thanks.

- Mark

I just wanted to say that the staff at Dade City, who worked with my dear friend and “adopted Dad” Woody took THE BEST care of him in his final days. He suddenly lost his wife unexpectedly and she was his main caretaker. Every time I called, the staff was pleasant and was able to give me an update without having to check with someone else. They knew their patients well. They could tell me what he ate and drank and even helped him hold the phone when I called. I just wanted to say thank you. I also wanted to make sure that the love and care that the Dade City staff gave Woody did not go without acknowledgement. Please commend them. It means a lot. Thank you.

- Shannon

My dad recently passed away with lung cancer in the Dade City Hospice Care Center. He was my hero and one of my best friends.I want to begin by saying thank you to ALL the nurses at the Hospice Care Center. I can’t think of a better place for my dad to have been at that time in his life. We knew it was the end and we knew he was suffering, but you all gave him that extra strength and encouragement to hold on just a little bit longer. It’s amazing how much dedication you have for your patients. It’s been four months and I still miss him every single day. Thank you for keeping my daddy healthy as long as you possibly could. You all will never be forgotten by myself or my family.

- Melissa

My grandfather recently suffered a massive stroke leaving him in a vegetative state. We discussed bringing him home but eventually decided on hospice to make things easier on all involved. From the nursing staff (especially Jackie) to the administrative and culinary staff we couldn’t have been more pleased. This was an incredibly hard time for all of us and I don’t think we could’ve handled it nearly as well if it hadn’t been for HPH. Thank you so much for trying to alleviate the burden of losing a loved one so suddenly, it meant the world to us!

- Kelly

My experience with the amazingly wonderful people that make up HPH Hospice was short as things progressed rapidly for my friend.

Every single person that helped us was professional, yet never distant or afraid to let us know that everything was being done with caring and love.

There were times when difficult truths had to be understood and no matter who showed up at our door, there was always a sense of understanding and always the right words for the moment.

I do not think I will ever understand how or why a person chooses (or is chosen) to work day after day with things that make most of us want to run away and hide.

You gave us all the knowledge, strength, and dignity to deal with a very difficult transition.

I know that I will always remember fondly the way that you helped us all.

- Ben

After two days my dad passed on July 9 at 4 am at the Marliere Hospice Care Center. Words cannot express the gratefulness I have to the fine staff that served my parents in their home and at the center during my Dad’s illness. Since the start of my Dad’s care in Hospice we have been awed by not only the amount of care but the compassion of each of the staff members that have served not only my dad, but my mom. I stayed the last two nights with my parents at the Care Center before Dad’s passing and felt so much caring and compassion that words cannot express my gratefulness. It still feels surreal that my Dad has passed, but the staff’s caring and tenderness I observed is very real. I thank you on behalf of my family. God bless each and every one of you always. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

- Debbie, daughter of Norman

In 2005 my father became one of the first Citrus County patients under HPH care. Dad had stated at 91 that living life had become too hard. The day of his admission he actually gave a “thumbs up” to the admitting nurse. Four weeks later my mother was admitted to the hospital in Congestive Heart Failure and Dad was moved to our home five minutes away. HPH was very supportive; aides came to bath him, Dr. McGrew visited and a Social Worker came and even took him for a ride down the street in his wheelchair. Two days later Dad was able to spend an hour with my mother in the Hospital ICU. When he came home, he was exhausted but relieved that she was going to be OK. He died less than 24hrs after the visit with my mother at his bedside. HPH was very loving and supportive to all of us. Because of this experience I now work for HPH, and try to give the same loving compassionate care to my patients as an HPH RN.

- Karen Kline RN

I have always heard that your organization is so wonderful and helps so many, but had not had a close personal experience until just recently. My mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in August 2009 and fought a very brave fight. Mom’s cancer doctor, Dr. Rau, told us that we would know when we could no longer handle her daily pain control. We should then let him know that we were ready for Hospice’s help. In January 2010, we knew we needed the help of HPH Hospice, and you were there in a heart beat. I can’t say enough about the loving and caring angels who came to my house and helped care for Mom in her final 2 weeks. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to all of you – thanks so much!
- Diane

My father recently passed away and was in hospice care at your facility in Brooksville. I cannot say enough good things about the staff there. They made my father’s last days very comfortable for him. My mother stayed by my father’s side day and night and the staff could not have been more helpful and kind to her. Thank you for being so kind and caring. Keep up the great work.
- Blair

My grandmother, Elizabeth, passed at HPH on Feb 15, 2009. She was told she would only have about 72 hrs to live by the hospital she was admitted to on Dec 9th. But by her strength and faith in God and the support of this Hospice House my Grandmother pushed through as long as she could and with as little discomfort as well. She “woke Up” and smiled after she was moved from the hospital to the hospice and we could all tell she felt at peace! What a wonderful place for her to visit with all of us! My mom, Sandra, and my Grandfather, Roman, were so thankful to have Hospice care at your facility for the compassion you showed to my grandmother as well as the rest of my family! I know that my mom and grandad had such a great feeling on the way they and grandmama were treated that they also were eager to volunteer to provide the same “blessings” they recieved to others going through such an emotional time in life. My grandmother was such a blessing and we are all thankful for the great care and empathy your staff provided to make all of us feel like we were at home with Grandma!

- Michele

My father was in the Marliere hospice center on Rowan Rd. in New Port Richey for 19 days this past November. The staff there treated him as if he were the most important person in the world. Not only did they treat him with much love and care, they also were very concerned about our (the family’s) needs. Losing my father was the worst experience of my life, yet it was also a beautiful experience to be at the hospice center. I witnessed so many acts of kindness from everyone we came into contact with. From Chaplain Marc singing to a patient to the nurses Jean, Debbie, Jo Ann, & Christine hugging and consoling my and others’ family members. CNA John trimmed my father’s beard & spent a lot of time with him and my mother. The nurse Bruce was also very informative, kind and attentive to my father and family. Late nights I witnessed Marc, Debbie, Lupita & others taking very good care of my Dad. The social workers, in particular Charlotte, were very kind to us; so was nurse practitioner Ruth Ann, who said wonderful things about my father and our family. The kitchen staff was also great. My parents had their 55th anniversary during my father’s stay & we were baked a beautiful cake (it was also delicious).

I’m not able to remember the names of everyone but we were treated wonderfully by everyone we came into contact with. Thank you all so much. You are all Angels in my eyes.

- Gary

I was present in the home for the last 4 days of my brother-in-law’s life. It is an experience that I will never forget.

I would like to thank you for the excellent care given to him by your organization.

Your visiting staff explained everything to us very well as to what we should expect to happen as the end neared. They were always very respectful to the family and were always ready and able to answer our questions.

- Edwin

I have worked side-by-side with hospice workers before and everyone I’ve met has been wonderful to the residents I cared for. Recently my grandfather became very ill and was brought to the Hospice house on State Road 50. I would like to say thank you for caring for him so well; everyone was extremely compassionate toward him and my entire family. I would give the world to you people for what you did for my family. What you do for many other families should never go unappreciated. So again thank you very much.

- Samantha

Thank you for the care and services you’ve been providing to my parents. Their care has been great and it is a comfort to the family knowing they are in such great hands.

- Mark

We can’t thank you enough. Having worked with HPH Hospice for many years on a professional level made it a no-brainer when we had to have hospice in our personal lives.


In March, our mother was in Bayonet Point Hospital and we were told that there was no hope. Knowing she wanted to pass at home we contacted HPH. The Care Coordinator and the ICU nurses worked like a well oiled machine. Ordering Durable Medical Equipment and transportation as the Pulmonary team made other arrangements, within hours she was off life support and home where she wanted to be. The nurses met us at her condo and had all DME all in place.


Having worked in the field for many years this was a scene my sister and I have seen many times, just not in our own home. The nurse doing the admit looked at us and with such kindness said this is time for you to be daughters not professionals. Those words touched us. HPH made sure we had someone with us around the clock.


The nurses were such a blessing, right down to teaching our two daughters that were in Nursing School about the dying process. Our mom worked for many years in the field and some of the nurses with her in the last days were nurses she worked with over the years.


HPH was not an agency – they were just like family. Thank you so much!


- Kathleen

By GARY LEBLANC | Common Sense Caregiving 
Published: October 27, 2011, Hernando Today

If anyone were to ask me whether there is anything I would change about caring for my dad, now that I’ve had the chance to reflect back on those years, I definitely would have to answer, “I should have listened to my dad’s doctor when he first suggested that I should get hospice involved.”


Instead, I spent a long, lonely and arduous year before finally opening my mind, and my door, to them. I had foolishly turned away invaluable and much-needed help for both of us.


The point at issue wasn’t that I felt my father wasn’t qualified. There was not doubt in my mind that hospice would approve him. I was the one holding back.


I had this notion in the back of my mind that hospice basically meant death, and I felt that by letting them into our lives I was giving up on my dad.


Now, I accurately understand that hospice is a special concept of care, designed to bring comfort to our loved ones and our surrounding families.


When I finally got to the point where I acknowledged how desperately I needed help, I asked my father’s physician to make the call. Surprisingly, that very same afternoon I received a call from the local hospice. By the next morning a social worker and a nurse were already at our house evaluating my dad.


With all the proper paperwork filled out, he was approved by the very next day.


The next thing I knew he was visited by his new hospice doctor. (I know, a doctor who actually makes house calls? I practically fell down.) Then his prescriptions started being delivered directly to our front door.


I wondered, “Could this get any better?” and before I knew it a home health aide was coming by to help bathe him two to three times a week. The nurse, who was assigned to be his case manager, came four to five days a week.


So, to all of you caregivers who are at the end of your proverbial rope, please don’t turn down any help that’s available to you. Talk with your attending physician to see if he or she feels that your loved one is at the point where hospice should be involved.


I cannot stress how much help hospice became for us. I honestly doubt if I would have been able to keep my dad home “until his final breath” without their help.


It is most gratifying knowing my dad passed in his own loving and familiar environment instead of in a facility where he wouldn’t even have recognized where he was.


The main goals of hospice are to provide a high quality of comfort and then preserve the dignity of our loved ones’ last days. By their removing some of the anguish, caregivers are then able to concentrate on the important things, like saying goodbye.


Once they were a part of our everyday lives, I couldn’t imagine not having them there during those final days. They had become like family. Within 10 minutes after my father’s passing, they were on the phone helping make most of the arrangements, so many things that I wouldn’t have been able to wrap my mind around at that point.


Being overwhelmed with the sadness from the loss of my father and virtually going without sleep for the past month, they helped me with matters I couldn’t even fathom.


Today there are more than 4,700 hospice programs throughout the United States, caring for more than 1 million patients at any given time.
Dear caregivers, listen closely: Grab all the help you can get. There’s no reason for you to go through this alone.


Gary Joseph LeBlanc was the primary caregiver of his father for a decade after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. He can be reached at us41books@bellsouth.net. A new expanded edition of his book, “Staying Afloat in a Sea of Forgetfulness” was released July 2011 found at stayingafloatbook.com, Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

My husband wanted to get out of the hospital at noon on a Saturday. We met with the hospice lady at 3pm; she had it all arranged by 7pm and he was in hospice on Massachusetts Avenue at 10pm. Once there he became very calm and peaceful; he died peacefully at 12:30 that night. It was such a tranquil place to be. The family will be forever grateful for the care we all received.

Bronwyn

I would like to thank the care team who took care of my mother Bertha Sorvilo so gracefully. She had Alzheimer’s for a long time and when it became too hard for my 93 year old father and myself to give her the care she needed, HPH stepped in. Without their friendship and devotion to my Mom, the last few days of her life would have been unbearable. I would like to thank nurse Debbie B., Aide Diane and Social worker Betsy and all her caregivers in Citrus County. We were given the choice of Hospice House or keep her home. My Dad’s choice was to keep her home. Her care was exceptional her last few days. You have a great organization and I would recommend you to anyone. All my thanks for giving my mother the ability to pass away in her home when she was ready.


Sandra Sorvillo

I wanted to thank Hospice for the services that they provided for my brother George and my family for the five days that he was at the Marliere Hospice Care Center.

He was admitted to North Bay and 3 days later put in the Critical Care Unit. We made the decision to move him to Hospice with uncertainty. He had told my mom he didn’t want to go to Hospice if anything happened to him. But after talking to the nurses we decided that was the best place for the care that he needed. When Med Fleet moved him, we were so afraid that he wouldn’t survive the 1 mile trip. When I walked into his room at the Marliere Center he looked so peaceful. What a difference! For the five days prior to his passing it was like he was at home. He always had his family and friends with him. No less than 4 people and up to 12 were there 24 hours a day. We kept our focus on George and the Hospice staff did the rest, including feeding us all. The food was good and the cook’s soups were amazing. My cousins from NJ even slept on the floor a couple of nights.

It has been very difficult losing my brother George even though we knew he was ill for a long time but Hospice helped make it a little bit easier. We can never thank you enough. My mom would like to give them a donation for their efforts. We also would like to get both of my brother’s names on the brick path.

We will call to set something up. God bless the people who help those who are suffering and their grieving families.

Kathy

My father Robert Young was just a patient at Marliere. I am truly impressed with the care our family received at your facility during my father’s last days. From my Dad’s quality of life care to the gentle counsel, accomodations, prayer support and genuine sincerity that we received. Everyone, doctors, nurses, volunteers, and Ruth Anne the Nurse Practioner that spent quality time with me were truly amazing and gifts from God. I can’t tell you how thankful my brother and I are for your ministry. Please pass our gratitude and love to the entire staff. I know I didn’t list everyone that cared for us.

Diane