posted
on 11/7/2025
in
BLOGS from St. Anthony
Just as the Carroll community steps up for neighbors, friends and relatives in times of need, St. Anthony Regional Hospice and its care team can guide you through this next phase. Our team not only helps make your loved one feel at ease and as comfortable as possible but also supports the entire family through the process.
At St. Anthony Regional Hospice, our goal is to provide patients with the utmost care, respect, dignity and love at the end of life, but our commitment goes beyond just words. It’s doctors and nurses who are there with round-the-clock attention. It’s staff members who comfort families as visits grow more frequent in the final days to say goodbye. It’s the personal conversations — moments when loved ones can open up and share their grief with someone who understands their pain and what they’re going through. It’s compassionate care that knows no bounds.
The Comforts of Home, Close to Home
For Carroll native Kraig Lux, who lost his wife, Renee, and daughter, Bailey, to cancer in 2024, finding that level of dedicated care close to home brought some peace of mind as he navigated the unthinkable.
“One of the greatest things about the hospice care is that we were able to be local with family and friends who were part of our circle,” said Lux, whose daughter was supported by St. Anthony Regional Hospice both on-site and at home. “To me, there was no other choice. Having worked with St. Anthony Hospice in the past, I knew their level of care and compassion was outstanding. Nikki [St. Anthony hospice director and registered nurse] was our main go-to throughout both hospice experiences and did a phenomenal job. She went above and beyond and was there for some very hard moments for our family.”
Bailey Lux and her dog, Dixie Mae |
For those unfamiliar with St. Anthony’s hospice services, our support is full-circle and includes the patient’s family physician, as well as a team of nurses, home health aides, homemakers, social workers, a medical director, pharmacist, chaplain, volunteers, music and massage therapists, and grief counselors trained to meet the unique needs of our patients and their family members.
St. Anthony’s hospice services are available within a 30-mile radius of Carroll, Iowa, and can meet patients’ needs at home, in nursing homes, assisted living or at a hospital. A hospice nurse is on call and available 24/7 to comfort patients and assess changes in physical conditions. The hospice team also works with other hospital departments to ensure comprehensive care.
“The last few weeks, we were on third floor medical surgery unit of the hospital with both Renee and Bailey, and the whole team up there was very responsive,” said Lux. “They did a very good job of taking amazing care of us. … I know when we got to that comfort care stage with both of them, there was no other place to be other than St. Anthony. It was as close to home as we could get without being home.”
Nicole Schwering, RN, hospice director for St. Anthony |
Going the Extra Mile
No two hospice experiences are the same, which is why St. Anthony’s team tailors care to each family’s unique needs. But their compassion and expert care don’t stop at the hospital doors. For Nicole Schwering, RN and hospice director for St. Anthony Regional Hospice, going the extra mile is something inherent, and it’s a quality she looks for in every member of her team.
“Providing comfort and moments of joy during the most difficult time is what we strive for as a care team,” said Schwering. “This goes beyond managing just the physical symptoms but also addresses the patient’s emotional, social and spiritual well-being.”
Bailey in the jersey Nikki gifted her. |
For example, when Bailey had her wish granted by the Make-A-Wish® Foundation in 2024 to meet her two favorite basketball players — Caitlin Clark and Kate Martin — Nikki knew just the right gift to send with her on the trip of a lifetime.
As part of the wish, Bailey was flown to watch Clark and Martin go head-to-head during an Indiana Fever versus Las Vegas Aces game. Bailey loved both players so much that she couldn’t decide who to root for. Knowing this, Nikki worked with a local print shop to create a custom shirt — one side designed for Clark and the Indiana Fever and the other for Martin and the Las Vegas Aces.
“It’s a very caring group. … The people there, you know they were there for more than just the job,” said Lux. “Nikki did so many great things for our family. ... Having the shirt printed was a special thing for Bailey because she was torn because she loved both of those girls. … Nikki went above and beyond!”
When You Need it, St. Anthony Regional Hospice is Here
From delivering personal and compassionate care to offering professional end-of-life services wherever and whenever you and your loved ones need it, St. Anthony Regional Hospice is here.
“Knowing that we had an incredible level of care being provided gave us strength. That was amazing,” said Lux. “Our community was huge and being there for us. We have a very strong community and so being able to remain in the community with the level of care that we had, that was huge. That helped keep the rest of our family in best a place as we could be. The incredibly caring staff made this the best choice we could have made. Thank you to all the staff who were a part of this care."
St. Anthony Regional Hospice is currently accepting referrals and new patients. For more information, contact the hospice team at 712-794-5279.