A Quiet Gift to the Community:
How Tandem Healthcare Supports Families When It Matters Most
In a town like Sisseton, where neighbors know each other by name and community still means something, the ability to care for loved ones close to home is more than a convenience — it is a blessing.
For many families, that blessing has come through the work of Bobby Jo Hamm and her dedicated team at Tandem Healthcare.
While larger cities often have access to a wide range of end-of-life care services, small rural communities can face limited options. For families navigating the final chapter of a loved one’s life, that gap can feel overwhelming. Without local support, many are forced to make difficult decisions — often moving parents or grandparents away from the homes they have known for decades.
Tandem Healthcare has quietly changed that reality in Sisseton.
Through compassionate, around-the-clock care, Bobby Jo and her team provide an alternative, allowing residents to remain in the place they feel most comfortable: home. Their work goes beyond basic assistance. It is deeply personal, rooted in dignity, presence, and respect for both seniors and their families.
For the Bubak family, that care made all the difference.
Their parents, Shirley and Orville Bubak, both 96, were able to spend their final days in the home where they built their life together — surrounded by family, memories, and the comfort of familiar surroundings. Shirley passed on February 19, and Tandem continues to walk alongside Orville with the same compassionate care.
“We are so grateful for Bobby Jo and the Tandem team,” said Mark. “Having 24/7 care meant everything to us. We knew our parents were safe, comfortable, and treated with kindness every single day.”
Kim echoed that sentiment, reflecting on the impact it had not just on their parents, but on the entire family.
“My mom, Shirley, was so happy she got to stay in her home until the day she passed,” she said. “It made it so much easier for all of the kids and grandchildren to come spend real, quality time together. Those are moments we will always carry with us.”
That kind of experience is not something that can be measured in hours or services provided. It is felt in the quiet moments — a familiar chair, a shared meal, a final conversation that might not have been possible otherwise.
In many ways, Tandem Healthcare represents the very best of what a small-town community can offer: people caring for people, with heart and intention.
As Sisseton continues to grow and change, it is easy to overlook the quiet work happening behind the scenes. But for families like the Bubaks, and many others, the presence of Bobby Jo and her team is something they will never forget.
In a world where so much feels uncertain, there is comfort in knowing that, here in Sisseton, no one has to face life’s final chapter alone.
From All of Us at Tandem Healthcare
We are deeply honored to walk alongside families during some of life’s most meaningful moments. Thank you to the Bubak family for sharing their story and allowing us to be part of their parents’ care journey.
At Tandem Healthcare, we believe everyone deserves to feel safe, supported, and cared for in the comfort of home. Whether families need short-term support, companionship, respite care, or around-the-clock assistance, our team is here to help.
If you or a loved one could benefit from in-home care services, we invite you to reach out and learn more about how Tandem Healthcare can support your family.