Hospice Nursing: Comfort, Connections… and the Beatles

John DeBassio first started to think about a career in healthcare while he was growing up, visiting his grandmother in the hospital.

"She had Parkinson's disease, so she was in and out of the hospital a lot," remembers John. "When I was with her, I saw the good that nurses can do – as well as what it felt like when the nurses weren't so great. I felt like I could be a nurse who could do good."

That sense of caring – John calls it a kind of “community service” – runs in the family, too. His mother worked as a home health aide, and watching her care for others reinforced what he was beginning to understand about the value of that kind of one-on-one attention.

That instinct eventually led him to nursing school, and then to a position at a short-term rehab facility. It was there, watching a Care Dimensions nurse work with hospice patients, that something clicked.

"That was my first experience seeing what the folks at Care Dimensions do," said John. "She would do a lot of educating, staying with the families, getting to know the patients. That one-on-one has always been one of the things I enjoyed most about being a nurse. So, about four years ago, I decided to pursue a role with Care Dimensions."

The Whole Picture

The patients John sees aren't in a hospital or clinic; they're at home, whether that means a private residence, an assisted living community, or a nursing home. And from the moment he walks in the door, he's thinking about more than just the patient’s current condition.

"Getting to know them on a more personal level – having that rapport – is super important," said John. "Also, I think of it as treating the whole family, not just the patient. Some families have a pretty good understanding right out of the gate, and some need a lot more support understanding the end-of-life process."

One patient that John specifically recalls is a man with a respiratory illness, who lived at home with his wife in Everett. Over the course of many months, John developed a deep bond with the patient – sharing an affection for the Beatles.

John recalls with a smile: "There was a debate on which album was the best. He thought it was Revolver and I thought Rubber Soul. We agreed to disagree. At least we were in the same neighborhood."

It's moments like those that help the hospice team build trust with those they serve. For this patient in particular, it meant honest conversations about what he was going to be able to do.

"One of the things that's most difficult for hospice patients, in my experience, is folks who've been independent for so long starting to lose that independence. We came up with a lot of things that worked for him to maintain his ability to do things on his own as best we could."

That experience, John says, captures something essential about what good nursing can mean for those in hospice care.

Hospice Means More Time, Less Stress

Like most who work in hospice, John wants to remove stigmas around end-of-life care, and hopes more people will understand the benefits it can bring.

"Sometimes with all the extra services and support we offer, it actually gives you more time with your loved ones than you'd have otherwise. And with that support, it's less stressful, so you can focus on your relationship with your loved one rather than on what they need."

For anyone considering a career in hospice, John says the most important characteristic you can bring to the work is empathy.

"Getting to know the patient is important because the whole picture matters, not just the physical ailment. You understand folks better by knowing what their life was like. And through that, you build trust and can make recommendations that give the patient the best experience."

Ask John what sets Care Dimensions apart, and he doesn't hesitate.

"I've felt super supported through my last four years, more so than anywhere else I've worked. If you need help or have questions, there are so many people you can reach out to who are more than happy to drop what they're doing to help.

"Even though you're often on your own visiting with patients, you're never alone."

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