What Hospice Aides Wish You Knew About Hospice Care

Whether they are called CNAs or STNAs, hospice aides provide essential personal care to patients from bathing and grooming to assisting with meals and toileting needs. It is intimate care that creates strong bonds between the aide and their patients.

We asked a few of our incredible team of hospice aides at Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care to share what they wish more people knew about hospice care.

Hospice Aides on Hospice Care

“I wish people knew that hospice care doesn't have to be a sad time, but time where we come together to celebrate and cherish the life of that person. To let them know you are not alone during this time and we are here for you every step of the way.”

Angela Leach 

“Hospice is indeed a calling. I will never forget the nurse I was assisting way over 20 years ago, the care she showed for the patient and I. I have yet to regret any step along this path.”

Carrie Robertson

"Hospice cannot prevent the approaching death, but it can ease the journey. I see myself  as a guide to an ending of the body and the beginning of the soul"
Elis Kurdova

“I genuinely wish people could truly see the heart of a Hospice worker. We are different from “regular” aides because we are immersed in Death, but I do not see it in such a grim way... I see LIFE! It is an absolute privilege to be welcomed into one of the most essential and vulnerable chapters of a person’s life. Their final chapter MUST be conclusive to a wonderful life; we will see to it! 

Krystal Gribler

“One thing I would like people to know about hospice is that hospice care is just not for the patient. We also care for the families who is going through the process of losing their love one. We build a team to help and I call that team the hospice family – we truly care.”

Lashonda Dixson

“Hospice care is not only for the patient it’s for your family as well. Hospice care is that extra eyes and ears to help that patient with their needs and their wants before God calls them home.”

Annette Williams

“One thing I would like people to know about hospice is that it's about living your life to the fullest as much as you can until the end of life.”

Mikelle Childress

“Hospice care is about making every day count. It’s about having that extra help, so that families and friends can just enjoy their time together. It’s about comfort and love and just being present. Hospice isn’t a death sentence, it’s a time for reflection and making every moment count.”

Brek Gerber

“Hospice is a beautiful thing when you want to live life to the fullest. You have made a choice to live life to the very end as a happy person and be in charge of your life.”

Angela Suggs

“Hospice care is not as easy as it looks but is very rewarding.”

Xavier O’Neal

“I wish people knew that morphine does not kill people. Also, that hospice can give exceptional help to families to allow patients to pass with dignity and respect.”

Gabriela Jimenez

“I am fortunate to be a part of the Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care team. We are more than a company; we are a family that comforts patients and their families. A patient’s comfort at life’s end is our primary goal.”

Stayce Blackmon

“I wish people knew that we focus on the wishes of the patient and support family members. We focus on helping the person live well and comfortable everyday...and until their last day.”

Nashonte Jones

“I understand why I do my job. As aides, we do not just give care; we give our patients and families a friend.  We walk in with a different type of compassion.  We hold steady and strong during the whole process.  We are forever remembered for the care we give, the love we show, and the extra miles we go.  I just have to remember that this is life.  We live to die.  We can mourn the loss of our patients; but on the brighter side, our people did not suffer.”

Jennifer Ferris