Giving patients tender loving care

Danielle Cohen

Roger Inawat knows some patients are uncomfortable receiving

assistance from a male nurse, but he understands their hesitation.

“Some are really surprised at having a male nurse,” he said.

“That’s OK. I ask them if they’d prefer a female nurse and tell the

social worker to send one. I don’t take it personally.”

It’s that attitude that eventually wins his patients over.

Jerry Kvasnicka, the director of development at VNACare/Hospice in

the Home in Glendale, still remembers the thank you note his office

received from an elderly woman whom Inawat treated.

“She said she wasn’t sure about having a male nurse, but found he

was like doctors of many, many years ago who came to the home and

really cared about you,” he recalled. “That’s a lovely compliment.”

Inawat, a 44-year-old Burbank resident, has worked for VNACare for

2 1/2 years, providing follow-up care in patients’ homes. The

organization honored his hard work and dedication with the

Professionalism Award during its annual meeting in June, where it

presented various awards to staff and volunteers.

VNACare was started in 1943 to provide homecare visits by

volunteers to residents in the city and surrounding area. About 12

years ago, the group started its Hospice in the Home program, a

combination of professional services and volunteer help. The

independent, nonprofit organization assists patients regardless of

their ability to pay in Glendale, Burbank and surrounding areas,

including the San Gabriel Valley, and as far away as the Westside.

As a licensed vocational nurse, Inawat visits about six or seven

patients a day, acting as a link between patient and doctor. Inawat

provides everything from wound care to injections to teaching

patients about their illnesses.

“If there’s anything unusual, I call the doctor to let him know,”

he said. “It’s a lot of communication with the medical office.”

Another aspect of his job is the social one.

“The majority of the patients are elderly. A lot of them are alone

and happy to see you, happy to see anyone,” Inawat said.

Although Inawat was unable to attend the awards ceremony, he was

excited about the honor.

“I’m really flattered because we have great nurses there,” he

said.

“If I did my job well, it’s because of the support system I have

over there. It’s constant communication with these people to make

sure the patient get the best care they can get.”

At the June meeting, VNACare/Hospice in the Home also installed

its board officers and directors, with Marlene Roth installed in her

third term as board president.

Roth said the group’s biggest challenge is to stay financially

stable. A major focus of her efforts this year will be on

fund-raising.

“Like many nonprofits, the last couple of years, especially since

Sept. 11 ... a lot of those donations have been redirected to other

charities, not undeservedly,” Roth said, “but it does put a lot of

pressure on local charities.”