Melanie Slaydon, RN Case Manager at Capital City Hospice
I often talk about how our end-of-life industries in Central Ohio are very incestuous – people change jobs and companies frequently, as well as new professionals entering the industries regularly. With that much new and rotating staff, not all hospice employees know about the Hospice Caregiver Award by Schoedinger. So it is always a delight to surprise someone new with the honor and recognition that led them to being nominated for the award in the first place.
It was delightful to see how surprised Melanie Slaydon was when we surprised her in front of a group of her peers with a specially crafted gift basket from Sugarbush.
Here is what Emileigh Dilley had to say about Melanie:
Melanie is a one-of-a-kind, caregiver. She orchestrates all patient care in an organized and thoughtful manner. She not only focuses on symptom management and doing everything to ensure patient comfort but greatly focuses on quality of life at the end of life. Melanie is notorious for orchestrating birthday parties for all her patients- she includes the patient’s family, facility staff and the hospice care team. It is a great time for everyone involved. No one under Melanie's care will leave this earth feeling unloved, but rather she will make them feel loved, valued and heard. Melanie goes out of her way to organize facility events such as pumpkin painting, decorating Christmas cookies, hosting hot cocoa bars, etc. to bring joy to her patients and brighten their day! She is available to our facility partners, patients and families after hours and on the weekends. She truly does not miss a beat and ensures that their social, psychological and spiritual needs are met along their journey. Regardless of what time her shift ends, Melanie’s day does not end until her patients are comfortable, have all the supplies they need and families are up to date on new orders or changes in condition. She has a passion for taking care of others, and it really shows by the way she full heartedly advocates for her patients and their families. Melanie is truly deserving of this award!
Congratulations, Melanie. You exemplify what it means to be a hospice caregiver.
If you know someone like Melanie and would like to nominate them for the Hospice Caregiver Award by Schoedinger, just visit our website https://www.thecaregivingtree.com/hospice-caregiver-award/nominate-a-caregiver. Be sure to give examples about why this person deserves to be nominated.