Our Lady of Peace (OLP) is our primary referral,” says Misty Burnette, clinical nurse supervisor on the south campus of Heart to Home, Inc. Heart to Home cares for older adults in beautiful residential homes in Mendota Heights. When it’s time for hospice, Misty says they tell residents and families about OLP.
“We don’t provide hospice care, so we refer residents to OLP so they can remain in their home with us and receive hospice care,” Misty explains. “We send the referral to Admissions Coordinator Patrice Engelmann. She shares the referral with Nancy Larson, Director of Nursing for hospice in the community, and a hospice nurse comes out to do an assessment.”
- Misty says Heart to Home residents and families value the OLP social workers who share resources, the chaplains, music therapists, and others who come to visit. “OLP is small, like us, so we know their hospice team will get to know our residents well and take good care of them at a difficult time,” she says. And the feedback from families is positive. “They are grateful for the education provided on what to expect and grateful for the on-call hospice nurse when symptom changes occur. I can’t sing OLP’s praises high enough. Everyone is wonderful, and I appreciate working with them all!”
Wendy Fischer
Frequent referrals also come from Wendy Fischer, a social worker and hospice discharge coordinator at Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital. If patients don’t go home to a nursing home or assisted living and receive care from Park Nicollet’s hospice program, Wendy and her colleagues refer them to the OLP hospice residence. “We want people with special skills to care for our patients, even if they don’t have the money or can’t qualify for medical assistance. We are blessed to have OLP as a choice, and our patients want to go there. Without them, we would be at a loss.”
Wendy began referring patients to OLP in 2012 and, like Misty, has built a good relationship with Patrice Engelmann. Wendy says, “She’s consistent, and I value her. She’s always looking for the same criteria, so it’s predictable, and we don’t waste time because a patient doesn’t qualify.
Patrice’s attention to responding is also appreciated. “She gets back to us within 24 hours, which is great because families are waiting to hear, and it’s exciting when we hear the news that a patient will be admitted,” Wendy says. “They have been stressed about their disease and their finances, and when I tell them, I see the relief on their faces: tears of happiness. It’s almost like they’ve won the lottery.”
Wendy says, “The OLP staff just gets it. From aides to nurses and volunteers, they have unique training, and hospice care is their calling. I send families to OLP with confidence in the care. It’s a gift.” And, according to Wendy, “Families say, I can’t believe something like this exists, and even though it’s a Catholic organization, it doesn’t matter. They don’t judge people, and all are welcome,” she explains. “Our families are motivated to give back to OLP, so once they settle their loved one’s estate, they often give what’s left over to OLP.”