As Social Workers Month comes to a close, we’re excited to highlight Theresa, a dedicated social worker with Ohio Living Home Health & Hospice – Greater Youngstown. She began working with Ohio Living seven years ago, offering supportive services to older adults at the Ohio Living Home Health & Hospice Senior Center. Two years later, she transitioned to the hospice program.
“My overall role is to assist families with finding and managing resources for care as our patients’ needs increase over time,” explained Theresa. “I also provide emotional support, education and grief counseling during their journey, as well as bereavement support after a patient has passed. Meeting patients and families where they are is so important, so I ask questions and take time to reflect to ensure best-in-class care and understanding.”
People often ask Theresa how she can work in hospice, assuming the environment is heavy and sad. “That’s not how I experience it at all,” Theresa explained. “I focus on the present moment, helping the patient and their family experience the best quality of life they can in their unique situation. Listening to the patient's stories and discussing what they’re still able to do helps our team better understand who they are, enabling us to provide the best care possible. This leads to celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and special 'Make it Happen' moments. It also creates space for conversations about finding simpler solutions to care challenges, which brings comfort and peace to the families.”
Theresa recently celebrated 27 years of marriage with her husband, Jeff, and they have two stepsons and adorable twin 3-year-old grandchildren. Traveling is something they prioritize whenever possible, always with a camera in hand to capture the beauty around them. Their most recent addition to the camera collection is a birdfeeder camera, and they’ve had a great time observing the birds and identifying the different species.