Vickie Perkins gives her experience of two family members in Suncoast Hospice care simultaneously.
BY KAREN DAVIS-PRITCHETT M.Ed. | Empath Health Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Curtis Perkins
For more than three years, I have been privileged to inform readers about the care and services Empath Health and its affiliate organizations provide in the community. I thought it might be meaningful for the next few articles to let those who have benefited from those services share their stories.
Robert Harris Jr.
Today, I’d like to introduce Vickie Perkins, whose father, Robert Harris Jr., and brother, Curtis Perkins, were served as patients by Suncoast Hospice. Vickie was gracious enough to answer a few questions about how Suncoast Hospice helped her and her family through an extremely difficult period.
Q: How did you hear about Suncoast Hospice services for your loved one?
Perkins: I first heard of Suncoast Hospice services from my father’s primary physician. My father, Robert Harris Jr., was diagnosed with dementia, and within weeks, my brother, Curtis Perkins, was diagnosed with cancer. Their conditions worsened, and they were on complete bed rest. My father’s physician gave me the information to contact Suncoast Hospice, and I did.
Q: Which Suncoast Hospice support was the most helpful for you and your family?
Perkins: Suncoast Hospice was a blessing for my siblings and me. They helped with medications, personal care and grief counseling once they transitioned.
Q: What do you want to share about your Suncoast Hospice experience with our communities?
Perkins: Suncoast Hospice is vital to our community. Once you are in the position of needing assistance for an ailing family member, you don’t know who can help you. You can find all the support and care from Suncoast Hospice. They never make you feel like you are on this journey alone. They are always there to help.
Q: What was something that you learned about Suncoast Hospice that you didn’t know until they started taking care of your loved one?
Perkins: The Suncoast Hospice team was so supportive, and if we needed anything, they were there to help. They provided services I knew nothing about, like caregiver training. This service was instrumental in helping my siblings and I provide the best care and support to our ailing family members.
Q: What would you like to share with families that may need Suncoast Hospice services?
Perkins: If anyone does not want to consider Suncoast Hospice for themselves or a family member, I would tell them that is a terrible mistake. They will truly appreciate all the support and guidance that Suncoast Hospice has to offer. Caregiver training and grief counseling are needed during this time. My family and I are forever grateful for the loving care and attention they provided us.
To learn more about Suncoast Hospice, visit SuncoastHospice.org or call (727) 467-7423.
