Jan Jones

Last week, I had the privilege of riding along with one of our awesome social workers, Steve Reda, as he visited with several of our patients and families. What a wonderful afternoon! A usual day for me might include several hours at the computer answering and composing emails, conference calls (solving the problems of the world, don’t you know), meetings which usually spawn other meetings, and an occasional walk around the campus visiting with our wonderful staff and our Residence. It had been several years since I had ridden along with one of our caregivers who visit with folks in their homes.  Now I am trying to figure out how to make it a part of every week!

Alive Hospice Social Worker Steve Reda finds special ways to bring patients comfort. Once, he worked with the Dream Foundation to have a reuben sandwich shipped to Nashville from the Carnegie Deli in New York. He is shown above with the sandwich, which he assembled at the patient’s home.

First, I just have to thank those who allow us to visit in the first place. In every home, I was welcomed with open arms even though Steve nor I ever mentioned what I did with Alive Hospice.  I was just someone visiting with Steve and everyone made me feel like family. Secondly, I have to thank Steve for taking the time and effort to bring me along with him.  I was just one more thing on his already full plate for that day.  Most of all, I have to thank our community and our Board for ensuring that we continue to be available to serve these precious individuals.

Speaking of serving, it was such a pleasure watching Steve in action.  He LOVES finding out what unique things are special for his patients and families and then finding a way to provide them.  He carries with him envelopes with information about how to get nutritious food for a fraction of what one might spend at a usual grocery store. He has a one-on-one relationship with the Dream Foundation and looks for ways to provide special experiences for individuals to bring them joy.  It was really fun being a part of that! No challenge is too big for Steve to tackle. The bigger the challenge, the more he puts his shoulder to the wheel.

I went home that afternoon full of excitement for what I am blessed to do and full of love and appreciation for those with whom I work and those whom we serve. The next day I became full of gratefulness following the storms that struck Murfreesboro. How fortunate that our staff and those whom we serve there we spared physical damage from the tornadoes. I guess in all of this it made me fully cognizant of my mortality and grateful for those around me. Sometimes we need a change to really recognize what is important in life.

Jan Jones is president and CEO of Alive Hospice.