Dolores Griffis, a petite 80-year-old woman, leans against her walker as hospital volunteers unpack fresh strawberries and bananas in her apartment kitchen. “If you need anything else, let me know,” says Nisha Mandani, an ebullient 44-year-old woman who is putting away the groceries with the help of her teenage son. “If you need milk, any medications, just let me know.” Their goal is to keep Griffis, who has cycled in and out of the hospital for years, from going back yet again for reasons that could be avoided.
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Griffis recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of her last visit to Mease Dunedin Hospital, no small victory for a widow whose children live out of state. She credits the volunteer she calls “my angel” with playing a big role in helping her to break the cycle.
Mandani showed up at Griffis’ apartment after hospital staff recommended her for “Friend to Friend,” a program in the four regional hospitals that make up the Morton Plant Mease Health Care system. The program targets patients at high risk for hospital readmission.
Mandani and her 13-year-old son go grocery shopping weekly for Griffis, who no longer drives. They take out her garbage. They bring in mail that collects in a remote box at her Palm Harbor apartment complex. During the week, they may also pick up medications and meals for her.
The visits lift Griffis’ spirits. Once Mandani gave her a bottle of White Diamonds perfume.
Mandani acts as a line of defense against problems that could lead Griffis back to the hospital, like poor nutrition and an inability to get medications. In her visits, she also can catch small things that could make a big difference.
On a recent visit, Mandani’s son, Ishan, tinkered with Griffis’ electric scooter, which hasn’t been working lately. He figured out that the armrest was in the wrong position.
“I haven’t used it in so long, I forgot how to use it,” Griffis said.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/health/article1021279.ece
Ishan Mandani featured earlier
Ismailimail 
Wow! Awesome work!
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