Joan has been my mother’s home health nurse since last December, after being discharged from a SNF facility post-hospitalization. My mom is 92 y/o, with several co-morbidities – making her health care challenging, at times. She’s had two hospitalizations, sees several medical providers, and her medications are adjusted frequently. While this could all be stressful for an elderly lady, Joan has been the calming factor in her healthcare world. Joan has consistently provided kind, compassionate care to my mom. During her visits, Joan calmly completes her clinical tasks while patiently listening to my mom’s stories of her great-grandchildren.

As my mom’s primary caretaker, Joan has also provided exceptional communication with me. Because of mom’s medications, Joan makes routine phone calls to her providers and always relays the information back to me. And when I mistakenly contacted her on her day off, she still responded to my questions. She has helped us balance all the labs, appointments, procedures, and medication changes. She also provides coaching for various medical issues, offering suggestions for types of chair cushions and specific foods to avoid.

I also appreciate her positive attitude. She not only tells my mom that she’s doing a great job maintaining her health, but she also provides positive reinforcement to me. Having a health professional tell me that I’m doing the right things for my mom means a great deal when I feel responsible for someone else’s well-being.

We feel very fortunate to have Joan on her care team. For all her kindness, knowledge, patience, and compassion, I nominate Joan Davidson for a DAISY Award.