Most Reverend Thomas G.

Wenski
Archbishop of Miami
Archdiocese of Miami
Member Sole, Catholic Health Services
9401 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami Shores, FL 33138
VIA UPS No. 1Z64589FP294652373

Mr. Ralph E. Lawson, FHFMA, CPA, Chairman

Sr. Elizabeth Worley SSJ, Vice Chairman/Secretary
Rev. Msgr. Tomas Marin, Assistant Secretary
Mr. J. Patrick Fitzgerald, Legal Counsel
Mr. Joseph M. Catania, President and CEO
Catholic Health Services, 4790 North State Road 7
Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33319
VIA UPS No. 1Z64589FP292178783

Todays date: November 28, 2014

Catholic Health Services is a ministry of the Archdiocese of Miami and the largest post
acute provider in the southeast United States. We provide a full continuum of healthcare
and social services to the southeast Florida community. We serve more than 6,500 people
on a daily basis with over 7,500 new patients per year and operate 30 facilities in
Broward and Miami-Dade counties. - http://www.catholichealthservices.org/
RE: No response, Catholic Health Services, contact for Home Health Services

Dear Most Reverend Wenski,

Sister Worley, Rev. Msgr. Marin,
Messrs. Lawson, Fitzgerald, and Catania:
Please respond to my August 5, 2014 email to Catholic Health Services, text below, sent on
behalf of my friend Valerie E. Maddix, 16355 SW 153rd Court, Miami, FL 33187 (enclosed).
I am emailing Catholic Health Services for Home Health Services on behalf of my good
friend Valerie Maddix who is caring for her 87 year-old mother at home. Valerie is
overwhelmed and needs immediate assistance. Valerie herself is sixty-five (65) years old,
and has cared for both parents until her fathers death in December 2012. Valerie does
not have a computer, so I am doing what I can by email to assist her. Valerie uses a
computer at the library when she has time.
Valeries mother is mostly bedridden, and shows signs of dementia from what I
understand. Her mother is Florence Yee Kee, who may have Vista healthcare Medicare
HMO. Valeries contact information is below. Valerie needs immediate respite, and
spoke about hospice care for her mother for a week to give Valerie respite. Unfortunately
Valeries mother demands her presence when she goes to hospital or nursing home,
which happens often, and requires Valerie to sleep in the room, either in a chair or on the
floor. This only adds to Valeries exhaustion.
If you are able to assist Valerie Maddix, please contact her or me. I am concerned for
Valeries well-being, and regret that I live in Ocala, which is hundreds of miles from
Valerie in Miami.

Most Reverend Thomas G. Wenski

Archbishop of Miami, Member Sole, Catholic Health Services

November 28, 2014

Page - 2

Since sending my email August 5, 2014 to Catholic Health Services, Valerie has revealed other
difficulties caring for her mother as sole caregiver.

Her mother is no longer sufficiently mobile to ride in an ordinary vehicle.

Trips to the doctor require special transportation to accommodate a stretcher or wheelchair.
Due to incontinence, Valerie must diaper and toilet her mother.

Valerie does not have other immediate family. Most relatives are in England, her place of birth.
There is a separate issue with a neighbor and vicious dogs that have attacked Valeries pet and
damaged her home and property. So far the authorities have not been able to provide relief.
This is Valeries contact information:
Valerie E. Maddix
16355 SW 153rd Court
Miami, Florida 33187

Telephone:
Cell phone:

I know first-hand the difficulties caring for a terminally ill parent, and the challenge of getting
assistance, whether paid or volunteer. My mother Penelope died of Alzheimers September 16,
2009. Penny was an unremarried widow and member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Ocala,
Florida, as was my father until his death in 2002. The following letters are enclosed:
Letter to Ms. Diane Filiaggi, RN, Parish Nurse, November 28, 2008
Client Agreement, Respite Manuel, National Counsel of Catholic Women, Feb-04-2009
Letter to Fr. Patrick J. O'Doherty, Pastor, Queen of Peace, September 26, 2009
Letter to Rev. Thomas Stabile, T.O.R., Fort Worth, Texas, October 2, 2009
Reply letter from Fr. Tom Stabile, T.O.R., Fort Worth, Texas, October 7, 2009
Letter to Ms. Diane Filiaggi, RN, Parish Nurse, March 8, 2010
I know Valerie desperately needs assistance and respite. Previous contact with the Florida
Department of Elder Affairs was not useful. Time is of the essence. Thank you.
Sincerely,

Neil J. Gillespie
8092 SW 115th Loop
Ocala, Florida 34481

Telephone: 352-854-7807
Email: neilgillespie@mfi.net

Enclosures
cc: Mr. J. Patrick Fitzgerald, email jpf@jpfitzlaw.com, J. Patrick Fitzgerald & Associates P.A.
cc: Catholic Health Services, email info@chsfla.com
cc: Valerie E. Maddix, via UPS No. 1Z64589FP291607598

Page 1 of 1

Neil Gillespie
From:
To:
Cc:
Sent:
Subject:

"Neil Gillespie" <neilgillespie@mfi.net>

<info@chsfla.com>
"Neil Gillespie" <neilgillespie@mfi.net>
Tuesday, August 05, 2014 6:19 PM
Contact Us - Home Health

Catholic Health Services

4790 North State Road 7
Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33319
Phone: 954.484.1515
Fax: 954.484.5416
I am emailing Catholic Health Services for Home Health Services on behalf of my good friend Valerie
Maddix who is caring for her 87 year-old mother at home. Valerie is overwhelmed and needs immediate
assistance. Valerie herself is sixty-five (65) years old, and has cared for both parents until her father
death in December 2012. Valerie does not have a computer, so I am doing what I can by email to assist
her. Valerie uses a computer at the library when she has time.
Valeries mother is mostly bedridden, and shows signs of dementia from what I understand. Her mother
is Florence Yee Kee, who may have Vista healthcare Medicare HMO. Valeries contact information is
below. Valerie needs immediate respite, and spoke about hospice care for her mother for a week to give
Valerie respite. Unfortunately Valeries mother demands her presence when she goes to hospital or
nursing home, which happens often, and requires Valerie to sleep in the room, either in a chair or on the
floor. This only adds to Valeries exhaustion.
Valerie E. Maddix
16355 SW 153rd Court
Miami, Florida 33187
Telephone:
Cell phone:
If you are able to assist Valerie Maddix, please contact her or me. I am concerned for Valeries wellbeing, and regret that I live in Ocala, which is hundreds of miles from Valerie in Miami.
Sincerely,
Neil J. Gillespie
8092 SW 115th Loop
Ocala, Florida 34481
Phone: (352) 854-7807
Email: neilgillespie@mfi.net

8/5/2014

VIA UPS No. 1Z64589FP296162103

August 5, 2014

Valerie E. Maddix
16355 SW 153rd Court
Miami, FL 33187-5203
Dear Valerie,
I hope you are feeling better, you sounded depressed the other day. I found a home healthcare
provider that may be able to help you care for your mother, Catholic Health Services. Enclosed
you find a printout of Catholic Health Services website home page.
http://www.catholichealthservices.org/about-us/catholic-health-services.aspx?nd=43.
Catholic Health Services
4790 North State Road 7
Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33319
Phone: 954.484.1515
Fax: 954.484.5416
Catholic Health Services is a ministry of the Archdiocese of Miami and the largest post acute
provider in the southeast United States. We provide a full continuum of healthcare and social
services to the southeast Florida community. We serve more than 6,000 people on a daily basis
with over 7,500 new patients per year and operate 30 facilities in Broward and Miami-Dade
counties.
Catholic Health Services offers home health services according to its website, see enclosed. I
sent them an email about your situation, info@chsfla.com. Ill let you know the response.
Otherwise I enclosed some reading material to lift your spirits, and a small journal for yourself.
Hopefully I can visit you soon in person. Love, Neil.
Neil J. Gillespie
8092 SW 115th Loop
Ocala, Florida 34481
Phone: (352) 854-7807
Email: neilgillespie@mfi.net

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November 28, 2008

Ms. Diane Filiaggi, RN, Parish Nurse
Queen of Peace Catholic Church
6455 SW State Road 200
Ocala, Florida 34476
Dear Ms. Filiaggi,
My mother, Penelope Gillespie, is a member of Queen of Peace parish. Penny is
currently in stage 5+ Alzheimer's dementia. Penny sees Dr. Gaya and his office
suggested I contact Penny's church.
Penny currently lives at home and I am her live-in primary caregiver. Penny complains of
being board and feeling useless. I have taken Penny to Summerville West, Strive, and the
adult day care center at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, but she does not want to return
to those facilities. What resources could you suggest for mom?
Can you recommend someone who provides in-home activities for enjoyment, exercise, or
to play games, etc.? Mom is friendly and gets along with people, but she is shy. She is 78.
Thank you for your consideration.

CLIENT AGREEMENT

.,.

#",'!/

j~!-,! (~';/I .-,\,. .hereby

:/

agree to hold harmless and free from any liability or claim from myself, my

family, estate or any other actual or potential interested party, the RESPITE program of the
-~'j/

National Council of Catholic Women and the Arch/Diocese oro /?2.,<,,/>?,<f6)itB providers, employees,
volunteer workers, adminIstrators or any property whatsoever. or any third party, or myself,
occurrIng during, or as a result of, any participation In any activity or involvement with or
through the above Program. Its providers or representatives whatsoever. I understand that I am
accepting and receiving volunteer services.

I acknowledge that I have read aDd do understand the above. and have disclosed to the represen
tative of the program any information pertinent to tbe program's assistance to me, or otherwise,
concerning my health, abllltlesand reqUirements, and have had my signature below witnessed by
a person not being a member directly or indIrectly of my family.

I have read and understood RESPITE policies on clIent rights, client confidentiality. and caregiver
responsibIlities.

Person receiving RESPITE Care:

RESPITE Project Coordinator or desIgnated representative

42

RESPITE MANUAL National Council of CathoUc Wome

RBSPITI BOMB 1N8TR1JCI10N 8BBBT

N*: Lea\'e tbI8 form In home 01 pel'8OD ~ care.

RevIew at the dme of each visit.
Name:

CaMReceMr~

FamOyMember'l Name:'

Where fa.mBy member C8D be auched:

PIaoe:.
Pbone:,

---------~------

Name:.
PhODe:,

Any medlcadOD IIWJD care ftJCeMr receoUy:,

Do88Ie

Wheu admIDI8lered

PerIoDs eIPfJCted tD 'VI8It the home willie tile RBSPITB whmtee!' 18 preBeIlt:
For wbat purpoee:

Any pe.rac-. expeoted 10 phODe durIDIlbII UDle:,

Me8..-:,

Haw Bmmwency NumbeN aDd DIrectIODS tD Home HaDdy at All 'Dmee

....... Ca .111 arc......, 11M . . . . . . . . JIAIIIUAL

Sharing the Care

Makes a Difference

Families in your community need

respite on a regular basis. You can
provide relief in several ways:
Give the family caregiver time out
while you stay with the homebound
person.
Provide services to the homebound
person such as companionship,
assurance, letter writing, listening
and other forms of recreation and
support.
Your services will not include
baby-sitting, therapy, administering
medications or other forms of
health care.

For More Information

Please Contact...
The Diocese of Orlando

Respect Life Office

4072464819

The diocesan Council of Catholic Women and the Respect Life

O1fIce of the Diocese of Crtadno are not liable for the services
performed by Respite Volunteers. After receiving trsinlng,
Respite volunteers may be enrolled and Insured by the National
Council of Catholic Women or by the volunteer Insursnce
coverage of the Diocese.

Sharing the Care

Respite

Council of Catholic Women

Sharing the Care

2000

in partnership with

Diocese of Orlando

What is Respite
At the present time one out of every four homes
has a homebound person being cared for by a
family member. Most often these caregivers are
family members who have other full-time
responsibilities. RESPITE, Sharing the Care is
in-home supervision and companionship
provided by trained individuals at no cost.
Unlike the Ministry to the Sick program whose
focus is on the homebound person, Respite is a
program focused on the caregiver. Respite
provides short-term relief for the caregiver that
has a 244lour day, 7-day a week responsibility.
The Or1ando Diocesan Coundl of catholic
Women in collaboration with the Respect Life
Office of the Diocese of Or1ando has formed a
partnership to provide this service for our
Diocese.
The National Council of Catholic Women
(NCCW) has a long-standing position in support
of families who care for their chronically ill or
disabled members at home.

The NCCWs RESPITE program began in 1982 with

22 women representing 6 parishes, in the
Washington Archdiocese. By 1984 it had grown to
51 dioceses representing 190 parishes and 3200
volunteers.

Why Respite
Persons who are homebound have the desire and
need to remain independent and self-sufficient.
Families provide 80% of the care given in the home.
Family caregivers frequently experience
exhaustion, isolation, loss offreedom, fear, gUilt and
grief. Respite care lightens the stress and
enhances the quality of life to both the caregiver and
care receiver.

Program Goals
To offer a training program which ensures that
the participants have the basic knowledge and
skills to provide respite care.
To provide short-term respite care to help
maintain family equilibrium.
To provide respite care at no cost to the family.
To inform and/or refer a family to additional
support services.

Respite Volunteers
Volunteers are the foundation of
the Respite Program
The volunteer needs to demonstrate a
warm interest in and have an
understanding attitude toward the
homebound and a desire to be of service.
The volunteer needs to demonstrate
patience, sensitivity and good listening
skills.
The volunteer will partidpate in the training
program to learn more about care giving:
acquire basic skills necessary to assist a
frail person in activities of daily living and
recognize and respond to
emergency situations. Opportunities for
follow-up training and volunteer support
will be provided on a regular basis.
The volunteer will meet the recording
reqUirements of activites and time
volunteered.
All volunteers are required by diocesan
policy to be fingerprinted and have a
background check.

September 26, 2009

Fr. Patrick J. O'Doherty, Pastor
Queen of Peace Catholic Church
6455 SW State Road 200
Ocala, Florida 34476
Dear Father O'Doherty,
This is an inquiry about what kind of service may be available for my mother Penelope
Gillespie who died September 16, 2009. Penny was a member of Queen of Peace for
many years, as was her husband Cornelius who died in 2002 and had a service at Queen
of Peace. A copy of the obituary from the Ocala Star-Banner is enclosed.
Penny suffered from Alzheimer's dementia and I have been caring for her at home since
2005. In late February 2009 Penny and I visited her son Mark and wife Jody in Fort
Worth, Texas, where she was joined by her daughter Elizabeth for a reunion. They cared
for Penny while I returned home for a much needed break. Penny was due to return home
to Ocala in August but her dementia worsened and she died in Fort Worth. This was
unexpected as her doctor thought she had a few more years.
Penny received Last Rights and the Sacrament of the Sick from Father Thomas Stabile,
T.O.R., Pastor of St. Andrews Catholic Church in Fort Worth on September 13,2009.
Penny was a fine mother and loved by her family. While Mom was not very active in the
Church, I would like to know what service may be available either at Queen of Peace or
at Florida National Cemetery where she will be laid to rest with my father. I have Mom's
cremated remains at home for placement in the columbarium with dad. We have not yet
set a date for the committal service.
Enclosed is a photo of Penny with her sister Kass in front of their childhood home in
Philadelphia taken in 2006 during a family reunion. There is another of Penny and Kass
taken as children about 1934 in front of their home. Also enclosed is a photo of Penny
and family in front of Transfiguration of Our Lord Catholic Church (1905-2000), where
Penny went to grade school, attended weekly service, and later married my father.

~elY,

(j)~/

~~ ~.~
..

Neil J. G espie
8092 SW 115th Loop
Ocala, Florida 34481
Telephone: (352) 854-7807
via hand delivery

enclosures

48IOCALASTAR-BANNER ITHURSDAY, SEP'l'EMBER24,2009 .

GILLESPIE, PENELOPE

"PENNY" M~ 78

Ocala - Penelope "Penny" M.

Gillespie, 78, died Wednesday,'

Sept. 1(), 2009 of dementla at

Odyssey House Hospice In Ft

Worth; Texas. A native; of

PhlladelphJa, Penny lived In

Levittown PA and worked at

the John Wanamaker store.

Penny came to Ocala In 1993

with her husband, Cornelius,

who preceded her In death In

2002. P~nny was a member 0;

the Queen of:.Peace Catholic

Churth. Penny will be laid to

rest with her husband at the

. Florida National Cemetery In .

.Bushnell, Florida. Survivors In

elude sons Nell Gillespie,

. Ocala, Mark Gillespie, Fort

Worth; daughter Elizabeth
Bauerle, St. Charles, IL; sister
Ka.thryn Camm, Philadelphia
PA; and brother Jack Diver, SIl
ver Springs, MD;

Penny Gillespie, 1930-2009

October 2, 2009
Rev. Thomas Stabile, T.O.R. - Pastor
St. Andrew Catholic Church
3717 Stadium Drive
Fort Worth, Texas 76109-3798
Dear Father Tom,
Thank you for administering Last Rights and the Sacrament of the Sick to my mother,
Penelope Gillespie on September 13, 2009 at SW Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Penny was visiting her son Mark and his wife Jody when Alzheimer's took a turn for the
worse. For several years I was Penny's caregiver at her home in Ocala, Florida.
Enclosed is a token of our family's appreciation for your ministry. Penny began her
Catholic faith at Transfiguration of Our Lord Catholic Church in Philadelphia where she went to
grade school, attended weekly service, and later married my father. Thank you for bringing her
home to Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Sincerely,

Saint Andrew Catholic Church

3717 Stadium Drive - Fort Worth, Texas 76109

817-927-5383 ~ Fax 817-927-8507

Neil J. Gillespie
8092 SW 115th Loop
Ocala, FL 34481
October 7, 2009
Dear Neil,
Thank you for the letter, memorial card and money order. I always wonder how a
person is doing after I visit, but don't always here from the family. I was delighted to
receive your kind letter.
You are welcome for my visit and for administering the Sacrament of the Sick to
Penny. I understand you were her primary caregiver so it must have been tough for you
to be so far away. Mark and Jody explained what had happened.
Just to let you know, all donations we receive for our ministry to the sick or for the
celebration of the Sacraments are put into the funds to support our Social Ministry
Outreach (food pantry and other assistance) and the Liturgy and Music Ministry.
God give you peace as you recover from your loss.

~. ~~ITOf~
Fr. Tom Stabile, T.O.R.

Neil J. Gillespie
8092 SW 115 th Loop
Ocala, Florida 34481
Telephone: (352) 854-7807
email: neilgillespie@mfi.net

March 8, 2010
Ms. Diane Filiaggi, RN, Parish Nurse
Queen of Peace Catholic Church
6455 SW State Road 200
Ocala, Florida 34476
Dear Ms. Filiaggi,
You visited our home in Oak Run in December 2008 to see my mother Penny Gillespie
who was a member of Queen of Peace parish and in stage 5+ Alzheimer's. I am sorry to
report that mom died September 16, 2009 while visiting family in Fort Worth, Texas.
Father O'Doherty held a wake service for Penny in the chapel October 14, 2009.
The reason for this letter is to provide useful information for the care of the elderly and
some suggestions that may help others. When you visited last year I had been caring for
mom since 2005 and was exhausted. In February 2009 my brother agreed to provide care
at his home in Texas to give me respite.
Are you aware of the Veterans Administration (VA) pension programs, including Aid &
Attendance, and Housebound benefits? Penny was eligible for cash benefits of over
$1,000 per month as a surviving spouse of an eligible veteran. This VA pension
information is online at www.vba.va.govlbln/21/Pensionlvetpen.htm.
Unfortunately we were not aware of this program until shortly before Penny's death. We
lost years of benefits that could have made a difference in Penny's life. Apparently this is
not unusual. Enclosed is a letter from Debbie Burak, founder ofVeteranAid.org about the
delay in receiving VA benefits that inspired her to create VeteranAid.org.
There is another intangible benefit of VA benefits, it gives families "permission" to
employ a home healthcare agency to help the disabled parent who needs assistance with
bathing, feeding, and dressing. Some members of our family were resistant to employing
others to help mom at home, viewing it untoward since they believed it was their duty,
but a duty which they eventually neglected because of the amount of work involved. A
payment by the VA for that purpose can legitimize the expense. It also acknowledges the
service to our country provided by the veteran and is an earned benefit, not welfare.

Ms. Diane Filiaggi, RN, Parish Nurse

Queen of Peace Catholic Church

Page - 2
March 8, 2010

Medicare has a number of excellent publications that would have made a significant
difference in Penny's life had I known about them. Here are some of the Medicare
publications available online, just Google the title to find them. Copies are enclosed.
a. Medicare Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home
b. Medicare Coverage of Skilled Nursing Facility Care
c. Medicare and Home Health Care
There is also an online Medicare Nursing Home Compare Tool that lets you compare
several nursing homes. This would have made a difference in Penny's care and added
quality to her life had I known about it before she entered Southwest Nursing and
Rehabilitation Center in Fort Worth, which I later learned was poorly rated. The Medicare
Nursing Home Compare Tool found an excellent Alzheimer's specialized facility a short
distance away that would have been much better for Penny.
Lastly is the issue of respite for primary caregivers. A letter to my parents from Father
O'Doherty when they frrst registered with the parish says that over 99% of the
parishioners are non-Floridians. This is true for our family too. Our nearest relatives live
over 1000 miles away. This isolation was detrimental to Penny's care and my respite.
As you know I contacted the Queen of Peace respite ministry and Mary Dombek visited
Penny in February 2009 for two hours. We were grateful for Mary's help and I later sent
her a card expressing my gratitude. However after several years of caregiving a two hour
respite is not nearly enough. And the time spent preparing for a short respite almost
negates the benefit. It would help to have lists of home healthcare agencies. Your referral
to Patricia Martin was great, except she was under contract with Champion Home Health
Care, Inc. (Sherri Kalishman) an agency with an onerous contract. For example, the
contract had a $50,000 liquidated damages clause if we hired Patricia Martin directly.
We used Florida Palliative Home Care once and I would recommend it. We also hired an
independent home healthcare worker, Beth Bosse, who happens to be a member of Queen
of Peace. I found Beth through her ad in the Oak Run newsletter and recommend her.
Another one advertised is Comfort Keepers, which claims over 550 independently owned
and operated offices worldwide. http://www.comfortkeepers.com/HOME.html
The Catholic Church teaches the value of protecting life which becomes more poignant
when the life is vulnerable due to dementia. The things discussed in this letter are fairly
simple but would have gone a long way in protecting Penny's life. I regret not being
aware of this information. Please pass this information on to others if you find it helpful.

The Story of VeteranAid.org

By Debbie Burak
I'm often asked the question "why" I have taken this mission on. It is a 9-year
journey of how I arrived at this point but as with many things, it is the climatic
ending of a movie or a good book that has the most impact and drives the point
home. In this case it was the ending of my mother's life that became so pivotal for
me.
I spent the last 10 days of her life at her bedside in Hospice, and watched how this
life we take for granted slips qUietly out of a room. How our survival instincts give
way to resignation and acceptance that this fight is over.
I looked into the eyes of my dying mother who continuously asked if her check from
the VA had come so that there would be money to bury her instead of cremation.
The answer was always the same
No. Even in her weakened state she would
have known if I had lied and said yes. I couldn't do that to her or to me.
My parent's time in assisted living began as a result of a fire that rendered them
homeless in a matter of minutes. My mother had been trapped in an 8ft enclosed
patio with no exit, and at the last minute two angels came to her rescue. One
jumped inside the patio while the other straddled the wall and together they pushed
and pulled her up and over the wall to safety.
Monies had long been exhausted for their care, and they had not planned well
enough to bear the burden of so many years in the care of others. So while her
question about the check coming from the VA may seem insignificant, it would have
allowed us to honor her burial wishes. Her fear of facing another fire was more than
any of us could endure.
I thought about how different this ending could have been, how different things
would have been for both my parents if we had known about Aid and Attendance
from the beginning.
$160,000 would have gone a long way to have made their lives better, and to help
lessen the financial hardship placed upon our family over 9 years. I thought about
all the inquires to the VA for benefits for them, and repeatedly being told there was
nothing, when all along there was.
To now have the pension awarded to my mother and be denied to the very end, to
the last breath, yes, it was a defining moment in my life.
One of the last things my mother said to my sister and I was to "promise her that we
would make certain that she was really dead before we let them put her in." We
promised and we made sure.
I also promised something else that day, and that was to make certain that she did
not wait in vain. That there would be a greater good that would come from this
sorrow. If one veteran and their family have better choices, then she made a
difference.
I prefer to believe that this is her gift to give, and I am simply the messenger.