Tasha, a beloved resident of HCO for many years, held a special place in the hearts of everyone who knew her. Growing up in Lewiston, she embraced her education with a passion for home economics and shop classes, reflecting her creative spirit and love for hands-on learning. Her pride in attending Lewiston High School and her enthusiasm for the Lewiston Cardinals were apparent.
At the age of 21, Tasha joined the HCO family, bringing boundless joy and positivity to everyone around her. HCO became not just her home, but a place where she thrived as an individual, gaining independence and becoming an integral part of her community. Over the years, she found comfort in familiar movies like “I Love Lucy” and “Home Alone,” finding delight in the familiar scenes.
Music, cutting paper (“her paperwork”), enjoying a variety of foods, and savoring coffee were daily pleasures that highlighted Tasha’s vibrant life. She attended St. Matthew’s in Winona and St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lewiston, where she found great comfort and happiness surrounded by familiar faces and the faith community she cherished.
In addition to her personal pursuits, Tasha dedicated many years to working in the community. She was employed at Shopko for many, many years, where she was a valued member of the team. Later, she worked at Bay State and other businesses, contributing her efforts to cleaning tasks through the DAC. Her work ethic and commitment were well-regarded, and she took pride in her contributions.
When the time came for Tasha to enter hospice care, it was a heart-wrenching decision for her family. They were deeply grateful that she could remain in her Winona home under the loving care of HCO, surrounded by familiar faces and the warmth of her housemates. Despite health setbacks, she was able to revisit cherished memories, taking comfort in the places she had once called home and sharing the joy she felt running in the Special Olympics.
Throughout this challenging time, Tasha’s family found immense comfort in the exceptional care provided by Home and Community Options and Winona Health’s hospice team. The compassionate support of the nurses, who offered both skill and empathy, made an immeasurable difference. The collaboration between HCO’s dedicated staff and the hospice team created a nurturing environment that eased the burden for everyone involved.
Nicole Weydt, Director of Health Services shared,
“Tasha found great joy in her home, especially through her love for “I Love Lucy,” which brought her laughter and comfort. Supported by hospice for about eight months, she was able to enjoy her days filled with favorite activities and family visits. Tasha’s family, who visited daily and brought special meals and treats, surrounded her with love and maintained a space adorned with family photos. They made efforts to fulfill her wishes and create memorable experiences. On more than one occasion during my visits, she would look at me, smile, tip her head to the side, and say, “Nurse, I’m so happy.” In these moments of direct eye contact, it was clear she felt contentment and peace. As her needs evolved, hospice adapted her environment with necessary medical equipment and medications to ensure her comfort. Her family’s steadfast presence and the personalized care she received greatly contributed to her sense of well-being.”
At HCO, the individuals we support become like family. For our team, this was both a poignant experience and a time of learning, with some young direct care staff experiencing this type of loss for the first time.
Reflecting on their journey, Tasha’s family expressed profound gratitude for HCO and the hospice nurses, emphasizing how their dedication transformed what could have been an extremely difficult experience into one filled with love and support. They cherished the bonds formed with the staff, who went above and beyond to ensure Tasha felt cherished and at peace.
Tasha’s life was a testament to resilience, love, and the power of community. Her journey, guided by the compassionate care of HCO and hospice, ensured that her final days were filled with comfort, dignity, and the warmth of those who loved her dearly.
Not all end-of-life situations allow those we support to remain with HCO until the end of their lives. While our programs aim to meet these needs, the impact on our residents and their families sometimes means it is not always feasible to provide hospice care within our facilities. We are deeply thankful that we could support Tasha in her home until her final moments, and we extend our deepest gratitude to the hospice nurses at Winona Health for their exceptional care and unwavering dedication. Their support was a source of profound comfort and hope to our cherished resident. We feel incredibly fortunate to collaborate with such a compassionate and skilled team. Thank you for your integral role in this journey and for your commitment to delivering outstanding care.
