“I knew in my heart this could work”
On August 14, 1954, Teofilo and Felipa Garcia were young and in love. They married and looked forward to a long life together.
Despite his health care challenges, Teofilo and Felipa Garcia remain living together in their own home and were able to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary together, thanks to support from the Transition Services Team (TST) at VGH.
“I remember the first time we met,” says Felipa. “I was in nursing school in the Philippines, and he was in the army. My cousin introduced us, and he attended my graduation.”
Sixty years later, the couple is still very much in love. And, thanks to the support of one transition services coordinator, and Home Health services, Teofilo and Felipa continue to share a home.
A quiet force at work
When Angie Angeles, transition services coordinator, first met Teofilo, she saw potential. A dialysis patient, the 87-year-old was admitted to VGH for a simple procedure due to his fistula becoming infected. The infection had exacerbated his cognitive decline, leading to talk of discharge to a residential care facility.
But, the Transtion Services Team (TST) saw another future.
“The Transition Services Team is a quiet force behind the smooth and safe transition of patients home,” says Angie. “We’re a bridge between quality acute care and the quality care of our community services.”
After careful observation, Angie became increasingly convinced that Teofilo could return home safely. He was mobile, he was motivated and, most importantly, he had a supportive family. “I knew in my heart this could work,” she says.
And, so, after a home safety assessment and other arrangements, Felipa took Teofilo home.
Giving families a chance
“Each situation is so unique, but it’s important to give families a chance,” says Angela Meadows, case manager for the Garcias. “Many clients derive happiness from simply being at home and retaining some control of their day-to-to life. Families, for the most part, want them home, too.”
At home, with the right supports, clients can manage chronic conditions and avoid hospital-acquired infections and other risks associated with inpatient stays. In the comfort of familiar surroundings, they have their best chance to regain their strength and independence. And, returning home frees hospital and residential care beds for those truly in need of those levels of care.
“It’s important to really listen,” adds Angela. “We aim to understand and assess clients’ needs and then put the pieces together to provide the supports they need to remain home safely. In the beginning, there may be a few bumps, but if we stick by them and stay in close contact, we can help people like Mr. Garcia to achieve their goals and stay home.”
It could be your mother
Just one week after Teofilo returned home, Angie got a call. It was Felipa.
“She sounded so pleased,” recalls Angie. “She told me, ‘Angie, my husband is so happy he’s home.’ And, you know, that makes me very happy too. I would want the same for my mother.”
Just weeks later, the reunited couple celebrated their 60th anniversary at a luau-themed party — and they extended an invitation to Angie. More than 100 family members and friends, including grandchildren, great-grandchildren and relatives from as far away as Florida, came to toast the couple and celebrate family.
“We sang and danced until midnight,” says Felipa. “Teofilo had been so looking forward to it, and he enjoyed being there. I still love him deeply.”