Patient & Family Hospice Testimonials

The care my mother received from every person we came into contact with at VITAS was exceptional. They were all very caring, compassionate, friendly, and thorough.

She was failing quickly, and she was fast-tracked for admission. The nurses picked up and delivered her medications from the local pharmacy. They explained everything my father and I needed to do for her and made changes in her care immediately if they felt it was necessary. They happily provided the services he wanted for her, and they weren't pushy at all about the ones he declined.

My mother was able to pass peacefully in her own home, which was totally important to my father. The whole experience made things much easier on my father.

Dawn A.
Delaware

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Your company and the people who I have met are wonderful, but I really wanted to especially mention a very special person in your company: Madina G.❣️

She is so wonderful. I treasure her ability to take care of me, her lovely and fun personality, and everything else.❣️ She also has been wonderful in showing some of my caregivers and family who are here during the day how to do things the correct way. She has lifted me up mentally, as I am very upset that I have ALS.

I can't thank you enough for having her as part of your company and for choosing her to take care of my needs during the week. She is fabulous and wonderful.❣️

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Diane T.
Miami, Dade and Monroe counties, FL

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My experience with VITAS was one of the greatest experiences. Everyone was very, very kind, and I appreciate the help that they provided. They went way beyond their duties, and I thank them. They were there every step away from the beginning to the end of my husband's transition.

May the Lord of Lords continue to bless each and every one of the people that attended to my husband. Team 1421 was the best team ever. I would also like to thank Jodie R. for all of her army veteran expertise and helping me with my husband's information and documentation. Blessings to each and every one.

Freddie Mae H.
Condado de Broward, FL

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It was a good experience, and they help me understand better. They are also helping me to help my spouse better at this hard time.

Nikia T.
Filadelfia, PA

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Signing up for hospice for my husband felt like stepping off a cliff. I was plummeting into the unknown. We had absolutely no idea what hospice was, but my husband was in the hospital dying and we wanted to spend his remaining time at home together, peacefully.

I signed with VITAS and dashed home to remove our dining room furniture in preparation for his new bedroom setup. VITAS immediately brought a bed, bedside tray table, oxygen, a hoist, potty chair, mucus vacuum… much more than we could use.

When we arrived home from the hospital in an ambulance, a nurse from VITAS arrived to assess my husband. She left me with a binder and a vague schedule of who would be coming to see us. I had questions as soon as the nurse left, but I had been given a phone number to call if anything came up that I couldn't deal with. Within the first 24 hours, I called VITAS three times. Each time, I was given excellent advice, and one time a nurse came to check on my husband.

We were treated kindly and compassionately every single step of the way by every single VITAS employee.

In the week my husband was home, I called frequently, and we were visited by the kindest people. I had no idea how much personal care my husband would receive. Caregivers came in eight hour shifts to monitor, turn, medicate, calm, and clean their patient. All new medications were given to us with demonstrations to teach me how to administer them. Yusuf, Armand, Crispina, and Ragima took turns staying with us; nurses Deb, Tas, and Virginia visited; Sabrina came to bathe my husband; and Blake, a social worker, offered services for emotional and practical needs. Deb, our assigned nurse, visited frequently. A chaplain was assigned to us, but we needed help before our scheduled appointment, so Ever M., a chaplain from 30 miles away, came to help us in the middle of the night, when a mortuary was very soon to be needed and I was very unsure of the process.

I called any time I was baffled, worried, or in need of help, and VITAS came through quickly every time—sometimes with a nurse, sometimes with advice or answers to questions.

As it became clear that some of the equipment would not be needed, VITAS came and picked it up with a reminder that they would bring it back if we needed it later.

The evening my husband passed, we had not been assigned any help, but I got a call from Crispina saying her client had passed, and she wanted to return to us. She returned just after my husband died and helped us through the process.

It was the scariest and most tragic time I have ever experienced, but VITAS brought us through it all in a very loving and gentle way.

Natalie T.
Sacramento, CA

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Every person from VITAS, the nurses, doctors, technicians, even the people who delivered and set up the equipment, were extraordinary. Kind, compassionate, informative, and absolutely professional. They made our entire family much more comfortable in the darkest time of our lives.

Brian M.
Seminole, Orange and Osceola counties, FL

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Everyone from the VITAS team that was involved in caring for my mom was amazing. I am so grateful that she had the best care during the last part of her life. ¡Gracias!

Donna W.
Condado de Broward, FL

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VITAS has been everything I needed in a hospice care service. My mom has enjoyed the various services offered. Religious services by the chaplain, visits from staff, and music therapy bring smiles and happiness to my mom. She engages and emotes. It's a good thing.

Scott C.
Chicagoland, IL

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The HHA and nurses were wonderful in making Lorine feel comfortable and reassured that all would be handle well until her death. Chaplain B. made her feel confident about her final destination. All of her needs were handled in a quick manner, particularly the decisions about meds as her disease progressed. Gracias.

Jim C.
Virginia y Washington, D.C.

When our mom fell in mid-November, she was in a lot of pain and could not walk. VITAS was called in, and their nurses were wonderful! Our mom received the medication and medical supplies she needed quickly because they care very much for their clients' comfort and quality of life. They came every day to make sure she was comfortable and treated her like a queen. VITAS offers continuous care services, and they helped when our family really needed them during our mom's final days. We highly recommend VITAS!

Jay and Nancy B.
Sacramento, CA

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I recently entrusted my aunt's end-of-life care to VITAS Healthcare's Team 982, including RN Akash, HHA Roger, SW Alexa, chaplain Paul, and funeral chaplain Jonah. Despite her brief time under their care, the team's compassion and professionalism were exceptional. .

They were flexible and accommodating, especially in planning a non-religious funeral service that respected my father's wishes. Jonah's dedication stood out; he contacted me on a Sunday to ensure his remarks were appropriate and arrived early at the cemetery to arrange everything.

The entire process was smooth and brought us comfort during a difficult time. While I hope others don't need hospice services, I highly recommend VITAS Healthcare's Team 982 for their exceptional care.

Brooke H.
Filadelfia, PA

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Marie L. did a wonderful job cleaning my husband. She was gentle and paid attention to details, washing his hair, cleaning his nails, swabbing his mouth.

Sandra, our nurse, is always available and promptly takes care of supplies.

We are extremely happy with all of our care with VITAS Team 143.

Diane E.
Condado de Broward, FL

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I really appreciate the professionalism and yet very personal care VITAS has provided for us. VITAS gave us the opportunity to relish the time we had with our father. They helped prepare us for what's expected and taught us how to provide care for our father in an emergency, which in turn gave us the confidence that allowed him to focus on our time together.

I cannot fully express with words how grateful and valuable the service of VITAS Healthcare was to my brother, me, and especially my father.

Thank you to Team 982: RN Prescilla; HHA Mithor; SW Alexa; Chaplain Paul and the others who filled in; RNs Maria and Roger; and the whole 24-hour crew that came in.

I hope these exceptional individuals find growth, recognition, and much success within VITAS!

¡Gracias!

Cliff F.
East Bay, CA

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My name is Bill O., and I am having my daughter type this for me.

I must say when the cardiologist recommended I go home under the care of hospice on 12/1/2024, I was taken back a little and discussed it with my family first. We all agreed to go forward with hospice but weren't sure exactly what to expect.

I must say our family has been so blessed and relieved at the amount of care, empathy, and compassion that we have received from every person in every department. Even the delivery people, who dropped off the POC and took the time to explain how to use the machine, and those who came to disable my defibrillator for me.

Ms. Amy, the admissions nurse, was very thorough in explaining everything that would happen. She listened well and answered every question.

Ms. Tammy has been our regular nurse on Mondays, and we just can't say enough wonderful things about her and every other nurse who has been here.

This has definitely been a great decision to have hospice helping us through this process. As I said before, we weren't exactly sure what to expect, but our entire family couldn't be more pleased.

I knew I didn't need to have any fear, for I know exactly where I'm going. With the Lord on my side and hospice being His arm, I wouldn't change a thing.

God bless you all.

Bill O.
Citrus and Nature Coast, FL

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Jennifer was amazing and explained the experience of hospice in a very positive way. She put me and our family at ease during a difficult period.

Every person we dealt with was fantastic. I have never dealt with a company and people that were so dependable and did just what they said. This company was a godsend!

Dee K.
Pittsburgh, PA

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I am a retired nurse, and for about six months, my father, who has lived with us for the last 25 years, has been declining. I reached out to VITAS, and in a matter of a day or two, hospice was in place.

All of my questions were answered. We were given all the support we needed from doctors and nurses, including one angel in particular. Thank you, beautiful Stacey.

But all of the staff—the nurses who came when he'd fall or suffer another TIA, the people who talked to us on video chat when we were in crisis and waiting for a nurse, EVERY SINGLE PERSON—gave us 110%.

The absolute greatest gift was me being able to be my father's daughter, NOT his nurse, which I did not have the energy to do. I, as a retired nurse, trusted every decision!!!!! From the bottom of my heart, I thank the whole team of people, from social worker to chaplain to medical equipment people to the kind person always on the other end of the phone calls I made.

May you never need hospice, but if you do, please consider VITAS. They were our everything for the 5.5 months we were on hospice.

Amy A.M.
Pittsburgh, PA

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I have been with VITAS for my husband a little over a week now. I have never met such a professional, caring team. From the nurses on call 24/7 to the weekly visits from an assigned nurse, plus others on call, I feel very secure.

Shout-out to my nurse, Donna, and NP Mary, who are so kind and patient. They are helping to make my stressful situation easier. I'd highly recommend them.

Allison K.
Jacksonville, FL

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I'd like to express my utmost gratitude to the Lombard VITAS team for helping me care for my mother on her last journey. My mother was the strongest and a very independent woman. She had a hard time relying on others for care. She did not speak English and did not accept help from many. Her cancer diagnosis really challenged her in a brutal way.

Needless to say, I was unprepared for mom's final needs and felt deeply alone in my fight to keep her comfortable. Terri and her team patiently and gently communicated with me and helped me stand by my mother's side with the respect and love I wanted to give. The team and equipment I didn't know I needed simply appeared, and mom's final days got easier for her and for me.

Terri communicated with us from afar during the times Mom and I were still independent. She orchestrated our final days together with love and precision. There was a time she needed to leave our home and go back to the office for more supplies three or four times during one visit. She did not lose the upbeat approach for a second, and when I asked if she did not feel challenged, she simply said with a smile: "Your mom needs it, and I will find a way she gets care."

We started meeting her fantastic team during scheduled visits. The first month with VITAS allowed for Mom and I to have our warmest family routines with VITAS showing up to care for us both during scheduled checkups.

As soon as Mom needed more help, we started seeing our new friends more often. The final week of continuous care saved my sanity. Mom and I welcomed the 24-hour care with true amazement. I was encouraged to rest and eat, and I could do so while my VITAS friends continued staying by her side. I felt as if my family showed up to help. What a gift!

VITAS made sure Mom could speak with her caregivers and deployed Bozena, a Polish-speaking nurse, the gift from heaven. She switched shifts and stayed with us many nights in a row just to make our transition easier. I'd like to thank her for the sense of calm I felt seeing her coming through our door.

Ms. Barbara: Thank you for caring, for your kind and loving ways.

Nicki: For your respectful empathy.

Soni: For winning mom's heart and becoming her daughter and my sister during the final days.

Kim: Thank you for the coolest calm vibes!

Derin and Cedric: Thank you for grounding us through prayer.

Amy: Thank you for the amazement in your eyes when Mom did something small for herself/she felt your support!

Rachel: For all the advice/chats/checking on us and empathy that went beyond your work description.

Dr. A.: Thank you for your patience and never-stopping efforts to keep Mom comfortable on her last journey.

I will always cherish the memories I was able to make thanks to the gentle leadership of Dr. A., Terri, and her team. I recommend VITAS wholeheartedly.

Anita K.P.
Northern and Central Illinois, IL

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Jorge, Theresa, doctor of VITAS, thank you for the peace of mind you have provided us. Thank you for staying by my grandmother's and my family's side in our time of need. It is difficult to imagine what hardship our family would've experienced without VITAS's support over the last seven years. Please accept my gratitude for treating and loving Mamita like family and for giving her the amazing quality of life she deserved.

I am forever grateful.

Giancarlo A.
Condado de Broward, FL