Helping a Patient's Dream Come True
Emotional support is an important part of the care hospice provides…but what exactly does that mean?
“Sometimes, emotional care means encouraging a patient to have a conversation they’ve been putting off,” says nurse Tina Lerch. “Other times, it’s about helping them travel safely and comfortably to a favorite spot so they can relive special memories.”
For one of Tina's patients, emotional support meant helping her become an American citizen. After living in the U.S. for many years, Annalise, a Danish national, wanted to make her long-held respect for the United States official. Determined to vote in the 2024 presidential election, Annalise—now on hospice care in her daughter, Iben’s, home in Braddock Heights—began the process of becoming an American citizen.
Sadly, what should have been a straightforward process hit barrier after barrier. As Iben explains, “The typical process required things that my mother just could not do at this stage of her life. Travel to Baltimore was out of the question, and her deteriorating vision made it impossible for her to take the written tests. I tried to find ways to move forward, but we were at an impasse.”
When Tina learned of these issues, she stepped in. She arranged for a representative from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to visit Annalise in Iben’s home, and submitted requests for other waivers based on Annalise’s visual limitations.
“Without these efforts, I’m certain my mother’s application for citizenship would not have made it through,” says Iben. “I am so grateful that Hospice was able to make this happen for my mother. She is really looking forward to casting her vote for the first time in an American election this fall.”
“Hospice is about working together as a team to honor each patient and family’s journey through illness and grief with dignified care, compassionate support, and gentle guidance,” said Tina. “And every now and then, as in the case of Annalise, we are privileged to help a long-held dream come true.”
