HEALTAHR TCARE
A DIFFERENT KIND
OF LOVE STORY
By Rafael J. Sciullo
MAY/JUNE 2018 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 137
Having worked in the hospice
industry for many years, I feel
so honored to hear the many
stories of care and compassion
provided by the amazing staff and
volunteers of our organization. Unlike
many other health care services, we get the
privilege of serving not only the patient,
but also the patient’s loved ones. I would
like to share with you a story about one
such patient and family.
Robert and Margaret Love didn’t live
close to their daughter Linda Miller. And
Robert has had Alzheimer’s disease for
several years. Linda remembers the day
her mom called and said, “I think it’s time.”
Margaret shares, “Robert was doing
things that just didn’t make sense. He
once left home with a flat tire and came
back 30 minutes later with the same flat
tire. The yard was becoming harder for
me to maintain on my own. Things were
just getting more difficult.”
After moving to Pinellas County to live
with Linda, Robert became very ill within
days of arriving. “Things just happened so
fast,” Linda said. “I was thrown in the deep
end pretty quickly with taking care of him.
We were very fortunate that he lived, but it
greatly affected his health from that point
on and made it more difficult for him.”
Robert’s doctor recommended Suncoast
Hospice. At first, Margaret and Linda were
shocked. They initially thought it meant
he was going to die very quickly. Robert’s
doctor explained that hospice was an extra
set of eyes for him. And Linda later realized
it was an extra set of assurances for her
and her mom. “As it turns out, we were
really ready,” Linda said.
still in charge.”
Linda shares, “We are very fortunate
to have my mom and dad come live with
us because after 40 years of being here,
Suncoast Hospice is so experienced and
established. They have the quality of
people we wanted to invite into our home.
They are educated enough to hold our
hands, walk us through the experience and
educate us on what we’re going through.”
“I highly recommend this for other
families. We wanted to share our story to
help others understand Suncoast Hospice
is there for you. Don’t be alone. Don’t be
second-guessing. The stress levels are
high when you’re dealing with an illness
– whether it’s Alzheimer’s or something
else,” Linda said.
Margaret added, “I think hospice care is
what anybody going through something
like this needs. It’s a time in your life
when you’re just groping and praying
a lot. Suncoast Hospice is the answer to
that prayer.”
Suncoast Hospice is here for you.
From medical treatment to volunteer and
emotional support to caregiver education,
we embrace and comfort everyone with
expertise, open hearts and understanding.
If you have a friend or a loved one who
might benefit from hospice care, please
contact Suncoast Hospice. 9
EDITOR’S NOTE: Rafael J. Sciullo is
president and CEO of Empath Health, a
nonprofit integrated network of care for
those affected by chronic or advanced illness.
For more information about services, call
(727) 467-7423 or visit EmpathHealth.org.
Rafael J. Sciullo
Soon a Suncoast Hospice care team,
including an expert physician, nurses,
certified nursing aides, spiritual care
coordinators and volunteers were helping
them in so many ways.
“I just can’t say enough good about
Suncoast Hospice because this was all very
scary. I had no idea what was ahead, or if
we were doing things right or wrong. The
nurse is excellent about letting us know
what’s happening and that everything is
all right. From day one, they’ve been like
friends. It’s very easy to talk to them and
they always have a suggestion to make
you feel better,” shared Margaret.
Especially helpful has been a special
volunteer named Maria. “She’s just
phenomenal,” shared Linda. “Here she
is willing to come in and help. It’s not easy
to be with someone with Alzheimer’s. They
may ask the same question ten times, then
start over asking it a different way” Linda
said, “Aside from what they’ve given our
family, how they treat dad is huge, but also
that they respect my mom, because she’s