Faith Regional Health Services | living WELL | Springl 2017

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HOSPICE HELPS FULF I LL ONE WOMAN’S WISH:
TO BE HOME FOR CHR ISTMAS
WHEN THE END OF LIFE IS NEAR, hospice care can help ter-
minally ill people live their remaining days—for however long that is—with
dignity, close to family and loved ones. Spending Christmas at home, close to
family and loved ones, was Sandy Cahoy’s greatest wish.
Sandy had been battling cancer for several years. She was first diagnosed
with lung cancer, and it eventually spread to her spine and brain as well.
In the months leading up to Christmas, Sandy was residing at Saint Joseph’s
Rehabilitation and Care Center in Norfolk.
“Sandy wanted to be at home for Christmas,” says Sandy’s husband, Don. So
the Cahoys turned to hospice care.
“We contacted the hospice team at Faith Regional Health Services, and they
moved very fast to make that happen,” Don adds.
The Cahoys were very grateful that Sandy was able to be home for Christmas.
“We couldn’t have done it without their help,” says Don. “Their service is
impeccable. They were just excellent!”
What is hospice?
Hospice services provide support to a
person with a terminal illness who has
less than six months to live. During this
time, members of the hospice team work to
keep the patient as pain-free, symptom-
free and comfortable as possible.
Faith Regional’s hospice team includes
doctors and nurses, social workers, coun-
selors, clergy and spiritual care, home
health aides, volunteers, and therapists. A
nurse is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week for questions or for a visit at the pa-
tient’s residence for a change in condition.
The team:
• Supports the patient and family through
the emotional and spiritual aspects of
dying.
• Sees to medical and nursing needs.
• Provides day-to-day personal care,
such as bathing and dressing.
• Provides care in the patient’s home,
the home of a family member, nursing
homes, assisted living or in the hospital
when inpatient care is needed.
• Trains family members to help provide
care for their loved one.
• Provides inpatient care when pain or
other symptoms can’t be handled at the
patient’s home.
• Offers respite care for caregivers.
• Offers counseling and support to family
members before and after the death of
their loved one.
Home is where
the heart is
To learn about Faith Regional Hospice,
call 402-644-7453 or visit
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