September 6, 2022

Hospice Team in Mount Pleasant Provides Care and Comfort to Parents

Sylvia Wetta grew up in a loving home with parents who lived their entire married life in Pilot Grove, Iowa. As Sylvia’s parents aged, they looked out for and took care of each other, but when her dad became ill, it became clear that her mom could no longer take care of him in their home. “Dad was admitted to [an assisted living center] in July of 2015. Mom moved there to help care for dad – we are blessed to have had loving parents,” says Sylvia.

In the fall of 2016, Sylvia’s dad took a turn for the worse and she reached out to the EveryStep Hospice team in Mount Pleasant. “We are so grateful we did! Suzanne Porth was his primary nurse and she answered all of our questions, and was extremely helpful to us and mom,” Sylvia remembers. Sylvia’s father passed away a week later.

In November of 2021, Sylvia reached out to EveryStep Hospice’s Mount Pleasant team again and her mother began receiving services at the assisted living center. “Ally Sapp was mom’s primary nurse and she was fabulous. She always answered all of our questions and had great communication with mom’s nurse practitioner. She always would get right back to me whenever I had a concern.”

In May of this year, Sylvia’s mom had a stroke and passed a week later. Though she grieves the loss of her parents, Sylvia is grateful for the comfort EveryStep provided. She says the entire Mount Pleasant team helped make the difficult days better. “Suzanne (Porth, RN), Deanna (Balderas, LPN), Veanna (Hutchinson, hospice aide), Katie (Smith, LMSW) and Gordon (spiritual care counselor) were all excellent. Everyone went the extra mile for mom and us – all the care was superb. My brother and I were with mom that last week and her care could not have been better. Deanna was with us when mom passed.”

Sylvia is grateful for each area of expertise the EveryStep Hospice Mount Pleasant team provided, including that of team assistant Mona Nichting. “Mona in the office was on top of all the paperwork and made it seamless for us,” says Sylvia. “We cannot say enough about EveryStep. We would highly recommend EveryStep to anyone whose loved one needs hospice care. They are a team of outstanding, caring professionals.”

EveryStep Hospice helps those living with a serious illness make the best out of every day. Most hospice care is provided through in-home hospice services; however, when a patient needs around-the-clock hospice care to manage their pain and symptoms, EveryStep’s Kavanagh House hospice home in Des Moines is available.

If you or someone you know is struggling to find the support they need, please contact EveryStep at 515-558-9946. Or complete the commitment-free, confidential “Find Care” form on EveryStep’s website at https://www.everystep.org/find-care. EveryStep staff will follow up with a phone call to answer your questions and provide assistance.