Gilchrist

Gilchrist Columbia was chosen to provide comfort care to my mom as her journey with life was coming to an end. I never imagined the support I'd receive from the nurses, aids, and music therapist. I learned so much about how to care for my mom in the two weeks she was with Gilchrist. As her time was nearing, her care became more critical. The nurses were there for me. They came when I needed them even in the middle of the night. The music therapist even recorded a CD of the songs she sung for her during her visits with my mom for her memorial service. If you chose this wonderful Gilchrist, I'm sure you will have the same result. Special thank you to Misty, Michael, Kara!

November 18, 2018 To: Administrative Staff, Gilchrist Hospice care There are times in the lives of humans that make them weak, humbled and above all saddened to the heart. Over the past six years I have traveled that path toward this time when my husband of 54 years became a Gilchrist hospice patient. I am a nurse. I have seen illness and death but I never felt the numbness of the diagnosis or the pain as he slipped farther out of my grasp toward an ending. Yet the Gilchrist nurse, Patty Bornemann knew what to say to help me maintain my sense of what to do and what to expect. From the time I met her, I felt her strength bound to tenderness and her constant evaluation of the situation while listening calmly to my nurse type questions. Patty was there when he began his decline, she provided a special bed, a pad for the floor in case he fell out of bed, the necessary medications and the time to sit at his bed side with me and frequently she sat there alone with John. Patty came immediately when I called her regarding John’s sudden decline. She stayed as he lost more connection to life and she was at my side when he took his last breath. I feel sure Patty reflects the traits of all nurses who choose this caring path. But in my eyes, she is the epidemy of what a hospice nurse should be. I am also sure that she reflects the goals and approaches all Gilchrest nurse provide. Patty was sure to connect me to the Social Worker, Meara Strain who provided a listening ear, guidance and gentle advice and support. She made me comfortable as John made his steady progress to the end of life. Meara was always available to me. I want to thank Gilchrest for supporting the work of Patty and the other hospice nurses. Anything I can do to support your work is now high on my agenda. I know the Organization will continue its work of mercy, excellent nursing care and a focus on the patient and the family as they move toward an oncoming abyss. Thank you again for being that Organization and those nurses and other staff that helped me move with John toward a peaceful, pain free journey from this life. Sincerely, Genie L. Wessel 10517 Catterskill Ct Columbia Md 21044