This year Nikki Warner a Certified Nurse Assistant for Centrica Care Navigators was selected as the Langeland 2022 Hospice Caregiver of the Year. Nikki originally received the monthly Hospice Caregiver Award for January 2022. Nikki has worked in hospice for five years. She is dedicated to her job and was so surprised to receive the yearly award for 2022. Nikki says she wants to do the best for her clients, she treats them like she is caring for her own family. She also feels that so many in her profession – CNA’s, nurses, chaplains, and others are so deserving of this recognition she has a hard time receiving it for herself. “I just do my job and I love what I do”.
Nikki shared a special story from her numerous special memories with her patients. Nikki cared for one man for three years. He had dementia and continued to decline over the years which she cared for him. He has a special place in her heart. He taught her about the Pink Panther movies, asking her, “Does your Dog bit?” She was confused at first because she did not bring her dog to the appointment, this then became a special joke between them. His wife would introduce Nikki as, “Your Girlfriend is here” and he called Nikki “Nikki Canna” – because her nametag said Nikki CNA. Karen Rich, who initially nominated Nikki, wrote; “As a hospice caregiver, Nikki has a heart the size of Texas and a disposition that brings out the smiles and humor in what is often a dismal situation.” These special relationships Nikki develops with her patients make her service so much more than a job.
Nikki attended the banquet with her parents Larry and Marie Warner and her co-worker Dion Platz-Marcum. She lives in Portage with her goldfish (who is in a pond outside) and her two dogs. Nikki unwinds from the stress of being a caregiver with her hobbies – hunting, fishing and keeping in touch with family and friends on “Talk Tuesdays” and going to the Barn Theatre on Friday nights.
Langeland Family Funeral Homes is so thankful to Nikki and all the Hospice Caregivers who give so much of themselves to make sure those who are suffering have the support and guidance they need.
