Regional Hospice Social Worker Nadine-Finger Thomas Receives "Excellence in Caregiving" Award

On November 28, 2018, Regional Hospice (RHPC) social worker Nadine Finger-Thomas received an “Excellence in Caregiving” award from the Connecticut chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.  Patricia DiDomenico, the Memory Care Director at Maplewood at Danbury, where many of our hospice patients reside, nominated Nadine for this distinguished award.

According to Pat, in her nomination letter, “Nadine exhibits compassion for those she works with, with a huge smile, a soft touch of her hand, and a warm, safe hug.  It is evident that she loves her work.  She is compassionate with families, as well as patients.  As a social worker for Regional Hospice, Nadine covers one of the most difficult times and emotions that we experience in our lifetimes.  She is patient, kind, compassionate and non-threatening when she sits down to speak with her patients.  And if her patient lives at Maplewood of Danbury, she is very supportive of the staff.  I am comforted to work with someone so caring and respectful of people.”

This award was presented as part of National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness month, as a tribute to he important role that care-partners and caregivers play in the day-to-day lives of those individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia.  Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 9% of patients admitted to Regional Hospice’s services.

Regional Hospice is thrilled that Nadine was nominated for this honor and has been recognized by her peers for the incredible work that she does working with patients who have Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias.

“I feel very fortunate to have Nadine on the RHPC Social Work team,” says Director of Counseling Services Cheryl Koeber. “She is an excellent clinician who consistently goes above and beyond to meet patient/family needs. Nadine is part of the Zelda Foster Leadership program at New York University, displaying a deep commitment to learning about and integrating best practices in End of Life Care. What I love about Nadine most, is her enthusiasm for her job, her infectious smile, her warmth and compassion, and her ability to connect with and engage a diverse patient population.“

About Regional Hospice

Regional Hospice has served Fairfield, New Haven, Hartford & Litchfield counties with nonprofit home hospice care for over 30 years. In 2015, we opened our state-of-the-art Center for Comfort Care & Healing. This family-centered hospice residence is CT’s first and only private-suite facility. Its mission is to provide exceptional end-of-life care, comfort and compassion to infants, children, adults and their families with a dedicated staff of professionals.