They’re Talking About Us!

We receive some of the nicest letters from the families we are honored to serve. This month, we would like to share two letters we received at the Southern Nevada State Veterans Home from family members of two residents who lived at the home. Sadly, the two residents are now deceased. We are grateful and humbled by the recognition, and we are honored to be of service! Resident names have been removed from the letters to protect their privacy.

My husband was a resident of the Southern Nevada State Veterans Home since February 28, 2017. He was admitted after a stint in the hospital, and it was determined that he was unable to care for himself. Thanks to the staff and doctor, he was fast-tracked in.

Over the years, he has received exemplary care. He participated in activities at the Veterans Home for as long as he could, including sitting on the food service advisory board, helping Boy Scouts in the completion of an Eagle Scout project, and enjoyed the off-campus trips provided by the VFW and Chamber, as well as dinner outings.

Since I live in Washington State, I was not able to care for him on a full-time basis. Until Covid hit, on my visits to Boulder City we would go for drives, meals, or I would take him to our house for a home-cooked meal. (We sold the house at the end of 2019).

On my visit in October, 2023, it was recommended that Hospice be contacted for evaluation. My husband was placed under Infinity Hospice care for the duration. As you undoubtedly are aware, this was in addition to, not in lieu of, care by the staff of the Veterans Home. I received a call the morning of March 26, 2024, letting me know that hospice felt Larry had less than 24 hours to live. A follow-up call by the Infinity nurse confirmed this. I was able to get on a flight and arrived at the facility by 7:30 that night.

Because of the caring of the staff, I was able to say good-bye to my husband. I knew it was time for him, and I knew he would not be alone. He passed away at 12:10 a.m., the morning of the 27th. I will be forever grateful for getting the call in time.

I want to thank you, and especially the caring nursing and medical staff of the Southern Nevada State Veterans Home for the care and love they gave to my husband. Being at the Veterans Home was his choice, and I know there was no better place for him to be. Please extend my thanks to all on the Falconer Wing, as well as Sidewinder, since his first years were there.

And here is the second letter:

Greetings,

For over eight years, our mom was a guest of the Veteran's Home in Boulder City.

She gained her angel wings on March 2, 2024, after many years of fabulous care and attention from the entire staff.

Your staff became our family, we made visits in the beginning of every two to three weeks to see her, as time went on the visits became monthly as to be honest, my sister and I started to age thru the process as well.

During Covid, when we could not come visit, staff was great in keeping us up to date as to how she was doing with phone calls (and at times facetime calls) as well as general updates on what was happening at this facility.

I am sure I'll be missing people as I call out specific staff who always made our visits feel like we were visiting family, for those I've missed if you recognize yourself in the caregivers that loved and cared for my mom, please forgive me. It certainly takes a village and you have the best village around. Diane Shea, always smiling and welcoming as we entered the doors. Dan Chamizo, management analyst who played multiple games of phone tag with me over the years to make her monthly private room payment. Hazel Gamir, nurse and caregiver extraordinaire who loved my mom very much. Lisa Rupe, another one of the nurses who was always there, especially for us as family members who many times needed guidance or a tight hug. Yolanda, who was always helpful in getting things done, no matter how large or small. Sharon Gilley, she answered countless questions (sometimes repeatedly) over the years without hesitation and last but not least, Danette Holub, who we honestly believe single-handedly willed my mom back to life multiple times over the years. Mom loved Danette, she became her champion, her caregiver and her friend.

We are so grateful for everything and everyone we encountered, we met, we passed in a hallway who had a smile for us. You have our everlasting gratitude and admiration. Much appreciation to all!

Our thanks to the team members at the Southern Nevada State Veterans Home. We want them to know their dedication and passion to provide the highest quality of care to the residents we serve is not going unnoticed.