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In honor of National CNA Week, June 14 – 20, 2023, I will break from our Disease-Specific prognosis series to honor all CNAs for the exceptional care they provide to patients and families. To all CNAs, thank you for the excellent care you provide to our patients and their families.

In hospice, Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) are an integral part of the hospice interdisciplinary team. Hospice CNAs provide routine personal care for the patient according to the individual-established plan of care. They also serve as additional eyes and ears for the nurses, alerting them to any concerns they may have or any concerns that the patient or family may express.

A letter or card is rarely received from a hospice patient’s family that does not mention the CNA that cared for their loved one. Most often, there are at least one or two paragraphs in letters describing the outstanding aide care given to the patient and what it will always mean to the family to know their loved one was cared for by such dedicated and loving people.

Even though working as a CNA can be extremely physically demanding, most CNAs will tell you they have found their life’s work. They have the heart for serving others and the skills that make a difference.

We are honored and blessed to have CNAs working with us in our healthcare systems. May we always remember to thank them for their hard work and dedication.

“Kindness is loaning someone your strength instead of reminding them of their weakness.” Author Unknown

— Vickie Wacaster is a patient advocate with Aveanna Hospice (formerly Comfort Care Hospice).