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During National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, in November, a time at Empath Health when we celebrate what makes the care and support provided by our hospice programs unique. Suncoast Hospice, Suncoast Hospice of Hillsborough and Tidewell Hospice combine for more than 90 years of experience delivering world-class care to patients and those who love them.
The foundation of the hospice philosophy is a team-oriented approach to care. The model features expert medical treatment, symptom control and pain management along with support for emotional, spiritual and social needs of the patient and family.
We asked two leaders of the Suncoast Hospice Orange Team, Care Team Manager Mary Northrup and Pyschosocial Team Leader Cheryl Libera, to describe the benefits of the team approach.
The Orange Team, which cares for about 150 patients in southernmost Pinellas County, is one of five Suncoast Hospice teams dedicated to home-based patients and their families. There are five other teams that provide care for patients and families in care centers, assisted-living and long-term care facilities and hospitals.
Northrup said working together in an interdisciplinary environment allows each member of the care team to focus on their expertise.
“I address medical issues,” she said. “My job is to make you as comfortable as you want to be. Some of the other things like depression and sadness and all the other things social workers address, that’s not on my radar. They (social workers) are more the head and the heart, and mine’s more the rest of the body. If you just had one person going in, you’d miss all those things. You’d miss the spiritual things, the volunteer opportunities, all of the other things everyone else brings in. I couldn’t imagine this hospice without the team approach.”
Said Libera, “We’re constantly collaborating with the nurses and they with us.”
RNs and Social Workers
Upon a patient’s admission to Suncoast Hospice, the Orange Team schedules a meeting for a registered nurse (RN) and social worker with the patient and primary caregiver. The RN and social worker attend the meeting together to provide a thorough explanation of hospice care and what to expect at the end of life.
At that first visit, the RN and social worker assess the patient’s and caregiver’s needs. If they need a home health aide or certified nursing assistant, spiritual counseling from a spiritual care coordinator or a volunteer to provide companionship, respite or other services, it will be provided. The RN also can refer a patient outside the Orange Team to Suncoast Hospice physical, speech, occupational or respiratory therapy. Integrative medicine, such as music therapy, also is available.
“I always explain in that first visit about the end of life and what happens and letting them know that the only phone call they need to make is to us,” Libera said. “We’ll handle everything else. That’s a tremendous relief for them. You can just see it.”
The RN and social worker lead the patient’s care plan. The nurse normally visits once per week, while the social worker stops by twice per month. The frequency of visits vary based on the needs of the patient.
Guiding the care plan is the question What Matters Most. Whatever the patient needs that day, from pain and symptom management to depression to a special last wish, will be at the top of the team’s to-do list.
Following are descriptions of other key members of the hospice care teams.
Physician, APRNs
The team has a hospice physician and an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) on staff. They are available for medication management, symptom control, crisis care and wound care. They make house calls when needed.
Home Health Aides/Certified Nursing Assistants
Suncoast Hospice provides patients a home health aide (HHA) or certified nursing assistant (CNA) for up to five days per week. The HHA or CNA offers assistance with bathing and hygiene and can do light housekeeping chores.
Spiritual Care Coordinator
A non-denominational spiritual care coordinator is available to discuss spiritual issues with patients and families. They can refer a patient to a Catholic priest or Jewish rabbi if requested. The spiritual care coordinator and social worker collaborate to meet any bereavement needs of family members before the patient passes away. They also stay in touch with the family for the first three months after the patient’s death until Suncoast Hospice bereavement services begin.
Volunteers
A volunteer coordinator connects with the patient and caregiver after the initial meeting with the RN and social worker to offer services provided by a robust group of Suncoast Hospice volunteers. Volunteers run errands, help with transportation and visit patients to allow caregivers an opportunity to leave home for short periods. Veteran to Veteran volunteers offer special service and honors to veteran patients, and teen volunteers deliver birthday boxes to brighten a patient’s day.
To find out more about Suncoast Hospice and its team approach to hospice care, visit SuncoastHospice.org/Our-Team-Approach.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Your support as a valued sponsor means more to me and our team at My Care Finders than words can truly express. This open house and ribbon-cutting celebration is such a special milestone not just for our business, but for the community were so honored to serve. And it wouldnt be possible without you. Your belief in what we do helping families navigate senior care with compassion, clarity, and purpose is what fuels us every day. Knowing that we have partners like you standing beside us makes all the difference. Were expecting a wonderful turnout, and we truly believe this will be a joyful, memorable event for everyone involved. Light bites, music, laughter, and connection a true celebration of community. Attached is our event flyer created by Jesse, the owner of My Sanctuary of Wellness. A HUGE shoutout to Jesse for your patience and constantly updating the flyer when needed Thank you Jesse!!!!! Please be sure to bring your own table and chairs. Wed love it if you could help us spread the word by sharing it on Facebook and other social media outlets, along with your friends, family, colleagues, and even your patients. The more, the merrier! Lets make this an unforgettable evening. Additionally, our assistance, Becca will be sending each of you our w-9, along with an invoice for the event. Thank you again for being such an important part of this journey. I cant wait to celebrate with you!With sincere gratitude,Heather Tetrault
Decluttering isnt just something you do when preparing to sell your home or downsize. The truth iswe all have clutter! But before you dive in, ask yourself: Does your home feel more like a storage unit than a sanctuary? Are you constantly searching for misplaced items? Do you feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of stuff around you? If you answered yes to any of these questions, now is the perfect time to begin your decluttering journey. It might feel daunting at first, but the benefits of a clutter-free home are realand they can significantly enhance your daily life. Here are 10 powerful reasons to declutter your home right now: 1. Reduce Stress and Anxiety Clutter can be visually overwhelming and create a sense of chaos that contributes to stress and anxiety. A tidy, organized space fosters a more peaceful environment, helping you to relax and unwind. Studies have even linked clutter to higher cortisol (stress hormone) levels in women. 2. Improve Mental Clarity and Focus A cluttered space often leads to a cluttered mind. By removing unnecessary items, you create visual and mental claritymaking it easier to focus and think clearly. 3. Save Time and Money How much time do you spend looking for keys, documents, or that one missing sock? Decluttering ensures everything has its place. Plus, rediscovering lost items might save you from making duplicate purchases. 4. Enhance Productivity A clean, organized environmentwhether its your home office or kitchencan boost productivity. With fewer distractions, youll find it easier to stay on task and get things done. 5. Make Cleaning Easier Less clutter = less to clean! Its that simple. Fewer items mean less dusting, less rearranging, and faster, easier cleaning routines. 6. Create More Space Decluttering opens up your home and makes it feel more spacious. You might be surprised at how much larger and more functional your rooms feel without all the excess. 7. Improve Health and Safety Clutter can harbor dust, allergens, and even mold. It can also become a tripping hazard. A clutter-free home is not only cleaner but safer and healthier, too. 8. Boost Your Mood and Well-being Your surroundings have a direct impact on your mood. A clean, well-organized space promotes feelings of happiness, calm, and control over your environment. 9. Make Your Home More Welcoming Whether youre hosting guests or simply enjoying your own space, a decluttered home is more inviting. It reflects pride in your living environment and creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere. 10. Gain a Sense of Accomplishment Theres something incredibly satisfying about seeing the results of your decluttering efforts. That sense of accomplishment can motivate you to maintain a tidy, organized space moving forward. Getting Started: One Step at a Time Decluttering doesnt have to be overwhelming. Start smallchoose a drawer, a single shelf, or one corner of a room. As you begin to see progress, youll feel more inspired to continue. Be patient with yourself, take breaks, and celebrate each step forward! Decluttering your home is a gift to yourselfan investment in your peace of mind, health, and happiness. So why wait? Start today and experience the transformation of a clutter-free home. Need Help? If youd like support along the way, were here for you! Call us at 941-275-2914 or visit https://linktr.ee/NaplesParadiseLiving to learn more about how we can help.
BrightStar Care of Venice & Port Charlotte- has won Best of Home Care Leader of Excellence , Provider of Choice and Employer of Choice for 2025 by Home Care Pulse. These are difficult awards. We are very proud of them.We can help your patients whenever they need home care to stay safe at home. No minimums- 1hr up to 24/7 careJoint Commission Gold Seal of Approval Our BrightStar Care location has earned accreditation from the Joint Commission, which validates that we follow their requirements for the highest level of safety and care.Best of Home Care Leader in Experience 2025 Recognizes our location as earning satisfaction levels in the top 5% based on caregiver training, compassion and communication.Best of Home Care Provider of Choice 2025 Indicates high satisfaction levels of our clients regarding our trustworthiness and ability to provide outstanding in-home care.Best of Home Care Employer of Choice 2025 Happy employees deliver better care. This award distinguishes us as best-in-Class for caregiver satisfaction. The Joint Commission Enterprise Champion for Quality Because of the commitment to quality standards from our local offices, were the only national home care brand that consistently earns the Enterprise Champion for Quality award from the Joint Commission. This independent, nonprofit organization accredits the nations best hospitals and major health care systems.
Our Patients Come FirstHome-bound patients quality of life, as well as their caregivers, can significantly improve with Empath Healths Home Health skilled care. When you enroll, you are served by an entire team of home health care experts dedicated to your unique situation.Locations:Fort Myers and Clewiston6811 Palisades Park Ct.Fort Myers, FL 33912Office (239) 337-9522Fax (239) 337-9521License #299993850Lakewood Ranch andHillsborough County6310 Capital Dr., Suite 200Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202Office (941) 894-1773Fax (941) 806-2150License #299994191Marion, Sumter, Lake, Putnam, Alachua, Levy, Citrus and Hernando Counties3200 SW 34th Ave., Unit 402Ocala, FL 34474Office (352) 347-1111Fax (352) 415-3104License #299995267Naples3000 Immokalee Blvd., Suite 1Naples, FL 34110Office (239) 513-0547Fax (239) 513-0548License #299994227Pinellas and Pasco Counties5771 Roosevelt Blvd. #305Clearwater, FL 33760Office (727) 523-2360Fax (727) 523-2401License #21175096Sarasota5955 Rand Blvd. Suite 154Sarasota, FL 34238Office (941) 552-7663Fax (941) 806-2117License #299993850
Tidewell believes that a selection of care and service options along a healthcare continuum provides choice and easy access to those seeking hospice care and palliative support. Emphasizing patient choice and dignity, Tidewell provides its services to all, regardless of race, creed, culture, gender, sexual orientation or ability to pay. Tidewell is committed to the advancement of services that support the ebb and flow of life as a normal part of life's journey and is committed to optimizing comfort for patients and families. Through education and research, Tidewell fosters the advancement of hospice care and palliative services on the local, state and national levels. Tidewell maintains fiduciary responsibility to develop the financial resources necessary to fulfill its mission.
Care, Guidance and Human Connection for the Fullest LifeSince 1980, Tidewell Hospice has provided the highest quality care to patients and families living with advanced illness, while honoring human dignity and personal choice. Tidewell strives to treat the whole person fulfilling physical, psychosocial and spiritual needs and views our patients and their loved ones as a unit. You are invited to explore all the programs and services Tidewell has to offer. You will discover Tidewell is really about building relationships providing the comfort and support to deal with complex and difficult issues while finding joy in each day.