Langeland Honors Hospice Caregivers

Langeland Family Funeral Homes Honors Hospice Caregivers

By Dana L. Naumann, MSW, Bereavement Care Coordinator - Langeland Family Funeral Homes

On October 19, 2022 Langeland Family Funeral Homes honored the Hospice Caregiver Award Winners from September 2021 – August 2022. These Hospice Caregivers – Nurses, Certifi ed Nurse Assistants, Chaplains, and others who work in Hospice are eligible to be nominated to receive the Langeland Hospice Caregiver of the month award. They each receive the Crystal Heart award and a gift card as special recognition of the selfless and amazing job they perform to support those who are dying and their loved ones. During the Hospice Caregiver Awards Banquet the monthly winners are individually recognized for their service and then the selection is made of the Hospice Caregiver of the Year. This year Nikki Warner a Certifi ed Nurse Assistant for Centrica Care Navigators was selected as the Langeland 2022 Hospice Caregiver of the Year. Nikki originally received the monthly Hospice Caregiver Award for January 2022. Nikki has worked in hospice for fi ve years. She is dedicated to her job and was so surprised to receive the yearly award for 2022. Nikki says she wants to do the best for her clients, she treats them like she is caring for her own family. She also feels that so many in her profession – CNA’s, nurses, chaplains, and others are so deserving of this recognition she has a hard time receiving it for herself. “I just do my job and I love what I do”. Nikki shared a special story from her numerous special memories with her patients. Nikki cared for one man for three years. He had dementia and continued to decline over the years which she cared for him. He has a special place in her heart. He taught her about the Pink Panther movies, asking her, “Does your Dog bit?” She was confused at fi rst because she did not bring her dog to the appointment, this then became a special joke between them. His wife would introduce Nikki as, “Your Girlfriend is here” and he called Nikki “Nikki Canna” – because her nametag said Nikki CNA. Karen Rich, who initially nominated Nikki, wrote; “As a hospice caregiver, Nikki has a heart the size of Texas and a disposition that brings out the smiles and humor in what is often a dismal situation.” These special relationships Nikki develops with her patients make her service so much more than a job. Nikki attended the banquet with her parents Larry and Marie Warner and her co-worker Dion Platz-Marcum. She lives in Portage with her goldfi sh (who is in a pond outside) and her two dogs. Nikki unwinds from the stress of being a caregiver with her hobbies – hunting, fi shing and keeping in touch with family and friends on “Talk Tuesdays” and going to the Barn Theatre on Friday nights. Langeland Family Funeral Homes is so thankful to Nikki and all the Hospice Caregivers who give so much of themselves to make sure those who are suffering have the support and guidance they need.