Local Healthcare Workers Spread Christmas Cheer

Like some other professions, nurses know holiday vacations are not guaranteed.

Marian Hitch is a CNA at Coastal Hospice in Salisbury, Maryland.

“I’ve been in health care for a number of years and we’re just used to working on Christmas, we don’t think think of it as anything unusual. Some years I’ve even given up Christmas that I’ve had off to another staff member because they had smaller kids and I didn’t.” Explains Hitch.

With some of their patients fighting uphill battles, nurses tell 47 ABC they try their hardest to bring a little bit of holiday cheer into their patients’ temporary home away from homes.

“Like, today is Christmas. Parade’s on and we have that on the TV or christmas music. We play Christmas music to remind them it is Christmas, because a lot of time they don’t know what day it is.” Hitch further explains.

According registered nurse Karen Tipton, families typically admit their loved ones to Coastal Hospice’s in-house unit for two reasons. One is for “symptom management” with symptoms that can include pain, nausea/vomiting, shortness of breath, and anxiety.

Another reason to engage in respite period, which can last up to five days. This allows family members a temporary break from caring for their loved ones full-time by seeking help from health professionals.

47 ABC spoke to Paula Airey, who’s mother checked in on Tuesday. Airey tells us her mother, a brave three-time cancer survivor, moved to Cambridge about five years to live with her daughter.

“She gave me a hard time. That’s when I called Hospice and said I need someone to come get her.” Says Airey. “I’m not ready to give her up, but if God’s ready to take her home…let her go. Just let her go in peace, so she doesn’t have to suffer anymore.”

Nurses say the toughest part of their job is delivering bad news, especially over the holidays.

But the biggest reward are the patients themselves.

“If we can go with a smile and be cheerful and talk with them…encourage them, that makes a difference with me.” Says Hitch.

Rebecca Graham, another nurse at Coastal Hospice, says the love and compassion for their patients are what make the job worth it.

“If we didn’t love it, we wouldn’t be here.” Says Graham.

Health officials say volunteers are accepted at Coastal Hospice. To find out more information on how you can help, please visit their website.