Florida Home Care Hero - Jean Duncan

Jean Duncan (a caregiver from Rona Bartelstone Care Management & Home Healthcare) was nominated for and selected as the recipient of the White Rabbit Award as a Home Healthcare Hero for non-skilled care at the 2007 Annual Conference and Trade Show of the Associated Home Health Industry of Florida (AHHIF). The Conference was held on June 19-22, 2007 at the Omni Orlando Resort at Chanpionsgate. The overall theme of the Conference was "Through the Looking-Glass: A Fresh Perspective on Home Health Care.


Excerpts from a letter received from a patient’s family describe Jean’s work and attributes and are quoted with permission.

“I can remember the first day Jean came to my parent’s house, my father was about to have laser surgery on his brain (for metastatic brain cancer). My father, nervous, my mother overwhelmed, and I sat in the car with Jean trying to get to know her as we drove. When we arrived, she immediately stepped to the plate and helped my father fill out the medical forms and she also comforted my mother and made sure she had something to eat while we waited.

When we went home, everyone was exhausted, but Jean with her now familiar, comforting smile and reassurance helped us all to settle down. After that, it was a growing relationship between my father and Jean as he became sicker and less independent. Jean drove my father to his appointments and helped him in his daily routine, going to the tennis courts to watch his friends play tennis, as he was receiving chemotherapy, until his condition worsened and his sense of balance was deteriorating. Jean was there to take my father to have ‘tea with the boys’ after tennis, a daily ritual that allowed my father to continue his relationships with his best friends. All the while he was slowly withering away. My father would get up early and wait by the door for his beloved Jean who made him feel safe and secure. When my father went into the hospital for the final time, it was Jean he wanted by his side to be soothed and comforted. The morning of his death Jean was there with him talking to him and holding his hand.

This is only half the story. After my father died, my mother, who has mild cognitive impairment, needed some help. Jean is there as my mother goes through the grieving process always supporting and motivating her to join classes and call the few friends that remain. My mother, feeling abandoned by her friends is encouraged to open up to new friends. If it were not for Jean my mother would not be enjoying the quality of life that she seems to muster up at this time.

Jean is a most gracious, modest, and hard working individual, a church going lady who knows deep down what it is to be a very good person. Saying “thank you” will never be enough to express the gratitude my sister, mother, and I have for her presence in our lives. The impact of such a person can be measured by looking at the quality of life and independence a person gets from such a relationship. I wish I could give Jean some of what she has given to our family.