When you care for patients at the end of life, even Hurricane Sandy can’t get in the way. The clinical staff at Regional Hospice and Home Care of Western Connecticut had a plan in place for coverage in advance of the storm and carried on as the weather worsened.

“All patients were called and were visited as needed on Monday before Sandy came in and again on Tuesday as the storm progressed,” said Robin Viklund, RN, BSN, CHPN, director of nursing and home health aides at Regional Hospice and Home Care.  “The nurses made visits on Tuesday, and were ready to cover patients in their own towns if the nurse case manager couldn’t get there.”

One patient who was concerned about staying at home during the storm was able to go to a temporary shelter at Danbury Hospital.  A Regional Hospice and Home Care nurse visited the patient there to provide continuity of care.  “When we build our hospice residence there will be a home-like alternative for people needing inpatient care or respite care in situations like Sandy,” Viklund said.

Regional Hospice and Home Care plans for emergencies and is prepared for nor’easters and other storms.  Viklund said power outages during cold weather were especially difficult.  “Things are more challenging when it turns cold,” she said. “The October snowstorm last year was very hard for patients and their families who lost power.  Our goal is that families don’t feel alone in crisis situations.  We are there for them.”

To refer a patient or for more information, call 203-702-7400.