Sentara Hospice Care offers compassion for patients and support for their families

In the corner of John Nuzzi’s home, a simple room divider still stands where his mother, Jennie, once received hospice care. Draped across the top are bright, colorful scarves. The scarves were gifts from a Sentara Hospice team member who visited regularly and thoughtfully selected them because she knew his mother loved scarves.

For John, those scarves reflect the attentiveness and care of the Sentara Hospice team. He gets emotional when he shares his experience with the caregivers who became part of their daily lives, forming bonds that continue to bring comfort even after his mother’s passing.

More than just end-of-life care: Hospice is quality of life care

Hospice care is often misunderstood as something that only begins in the final days of life. But for many families and caregivers, hospice is a source of support and comfort that extends over months or even years.

Watching his mother move through hospice care revealed just how deeply these services can support both patients and the families who love them, recalls John.

In the summer of 2023, Jennie was diagnosed with osteomyelitis (bone infection) in her foot. Given her age, 95 at the time, the severity of the disease, and the prognosis, she decided to begin hospice care.

Her more than two-year journey with hospice serves as a reminder that hospice care isn’t about counting days. It’s about improving the quality of life during a serious illness, for however long that may be.

Rachel Hicks, RN, BSN, and Sentara Hospice administrator, was one of Jennie’s first Sentara Hospice nurses and remembers her not only as a patient but also as a warm, thoughtful person who loved connecting over books and memories.

“Ms. Jennie loved to read and often gave me book recommendations for my book club,” Rachel remembers.

Those small, deeply human moments are what John remembers most about his mother’s journey with Sentara Hospice. It was a season that changed him, filled with moments of joy, sometimes exhaustion and ultimately, deep grief.

And through it all, the care team from Sentara Hospice supported not only Jennie’s medical and emotional needs, but John’s, too.

A hospice journey that moved with her

Sentara Hospice first cared for Jennie while she was living in a Williamsburg senior care facility.

A few months later, Jennie moved in with John. Sentara Hospice followed, bringing their compassionate care into the family's home.

"They were here whenever we needed them," John says. "Sometimes four days a week, sometimes weekends or nights. If we needed them, they came."

That flexibility highlights a key point: Hospice care isn’t limited to a single setting. It can be wherever a patient calls home.

Care felt by the whole family

For John, the hospice care team wasn’t just there for his mother; they were there for him and his sister, too. As Jennie’s primary caregivers, the siblings faced emotional and physical exhaustion.

"You start to deteriorate emotionally," John admits. " You're not taking care of yourself. And you don't even realize it." 

The Sentara team, including nurses, aides, social workers, and chaplains, offered not only medical support but companionship and education. John appreciated their practical advice and the way they shared laughter and light moments with him and his mom.

"Mom would insist I share a joke. Everyone would laugh. And for that moment, joy was released,” he recalls.

John fondly remembers the staff members who formed deep bonds with his mom, including a hospice social worker who visited regularly and connected with Jennie over their shared Italian heritage.

"She would sit right here with Mom every other Thursday, and they would just talk about family and food. Mom would come alive," shares John.

Hospice caregiver support also includes respite care. Although John did not take advantage of this benefit, respite care is one of the most valuable hospice benefits for caregivers. It is usually included in hospice coverage and is designed to give primary caregivers a break to recover from the demands of daily in-home care.

A peaceful passing

While many patients remain at home throughout their hospice care, as his mom’s condition worsened, Sentara Hospice arranged for Jennie to be transferred to a nearby hospice house. The same Sentara Hospice team that cared for her at home continued to support her and her family there.

"That consistency mattered," John says. "Same faces. Same love."

Hospice is about more than dying

John’s reflections are filled with emotion and gratitude, not just for the care his mother received but for how hospice transformed their time together.

"I learned things about my mom I never knew. Stories, recipes, her past,” John recollects. "Hospice gave us the support to connect in a way we never had."

He also found comfort through a bereavement support group, attending three sessions at a nearby church, thanks to the recommendation of a hospice team member. Being with others in grief reminded him he wasn’t alone.

A message for patients and families considering hospice

A few months after his mother’s death, John reconnected with Sentara Hospice nurse Rachel Hicks. They embraced, then began catching up as if no time had passed.

Rachel immediately asked about his grandson by name. Her own son is the same age, and during Jennie’s care, they had often swapped stories about the boys. 

The warmth between them was unmistakable. Their connection went beyond professional courtesy. It was rooted in shared moments, long conversations and the trust built during one of the most vulnerable seasons of John’s life.

 Rachel was eager to bring an update about John back to the hospice team, knowing how much they had cared about him as a devoted son and caregiver. He had mattered to them, too.

For families unsure about when or whether to seek hospice care, John is direct:

"My advice to anyone considering hospice: You should have no hesitation whatsoever. This is a gift that will not only help your loved one but also support you and the people caring for them. The help is a gift. Take that gift."

Jennie Nuzzi’s life was long and rich, and in her final years, she and her family were wrapped in the compassionate, steady presence of Sentara Hospice care. For John, that’s what made all the difference.

"We couldn’t have done it without them," he says. "Hospice provides comfort and dignity, wherever you are, for however long you need it. That’s what Sentara gave us."

Six takeaways for caregivers supporting a loved one in hospice

Caring for a loved one in hospice is one of the most challenging and meaningful roles a family caregiver can take on. John Nuzzi’s experience caring for his mother, Jennie, offers practical guidance for others navigating hospice care and daily caregiving responsibilities.

1. Consider hospice care sooner rather than later: Many caregivers say the same thing after starting hospice: They wish they had begun sooner. Rachel Hicks, Sentara Hospice RN, notes that families are often surprised by the level of support hospice provides, not only to patients but also to caregivers. Hospice goes far beyond pain management. It offers emotional support, respite and guidance.
2. Keep important health information organized and easy to access: Having key details in one place can ease stress and improve communication with the hospice team. A notebook or digital record can help track medications, hospitalizations, symptom changes and questions for nurses or physicians. Some caregivers also keep a simple daily journal to note how their loved one is feeling, which can guide care visits and planning conversations.
3. Build simple routines that bring comfort and connection: Creating simple routines you can enjoy together, such as watching a favorite television show or sharing a quiet moment, can provide comfort and emotional relief. These small rituals help both patients and caregivers find moments of normalcy and connection during long-term illness.
4. Encourage sharing of memories and life stories: “Some of the best medicine we provide is life review and shared connections,” says Rachel. Hospice care is not only about managing symptoms. It is also about honoring a person’s life. Jennie found meaning in sharing recipes, books and memories with her care team and family. These conversations helped her feel seen and gave her loved ones a deeper connection beyond her illness.
5. Create a calm, comforting environment: The physical space matters in hospice care. Soft lighting, favorite music and familiar objects can create a peaceful setting that supports comfort and dignity. Jennie cherished a blanket printed with photos of her grandchild. Small, personal touches like these can help a home or hospice room feel warm and meaningful for both patients and caregivers.
6. Accept support and remember that caregivers need care too: Caregiving can take an emotional and physical toll. Hospice services are designed to support both family caregivers and patients. Accepting help from hospice staff, respite care, friends, or family can help prevent burnout and remind you that you are not alone.