“For my mom, hospice meant a humane way to the end of her life that was dedicated and compassionate. A hospital ICU does the best they can but they are often understaffed and the atmosphere is grim. As a nurse my mom knew the alternative of passing at home is very taxing both physically and mentally on the surviving spouse or caregiver.
For my family, to our very pleasant surprise, hospice was tranquil, gentle and focused. Whatever we needed, we were accommodated. That included my father who was by my mom’s side day and night for the 3 week stay she had in hospice.” – Victoria Ashley
Twenty years ago the best friend of my father, Stan Croll, was diagnosed with cancer; the disease progressed and towards the end he was admitted to Ian Anderson House in Oakville. My father, an Oakville resident, visited him regularly and was so impressed by the care given that he kept going to Anderson House after his friend had passed away. Stan became a faithful volunteer there doing whatever odd job needed to be done and chatting to the residents. He believed in Anderson House and the ministry it provided to both the residents and their families; indeed my mother often joked that far from being retired, he now had a new job!
My father volunteered there for years but was himself diagnosed with cancer in the spring of 2007. Even so, Stan continued his volunteer work until he was no longer able to do so. As with his best friend, the disease progressed and like his friend, he too was admitted to Anderson House. It was then that my family and I truly appreciated what Anderson House does and what it means. Up to that time my family had been on the “giving side” as it were; now we were on the “receiving side”. It is almost impossible to convey what my father’s being there meant to us as they not only provided exceptional care for my Dad but also for the rest of us as well. They made the seemingly impossible to cope with possible.
As a thirty year resident of Milton and a minister, I am well aware of the need for a hospice to serve the people of Milton and Halton Hills. It would truly be so wonderful if the families of our communities could receive the same wonderful care closer to home that my family received in our time of need. – Shawn C.
When my husband, John, became palliative, we wanted to keep him at home. However, as his illness progressed it became clear that this would be far more difficult than we imagined so we chose hospice care, a decision we never regretted. The care he received 24/7 from first class medical staff, personal care workers and volunteers made John’s final weeks as contented as they could be in the circumstances. This lifted a great burden from our family, as the help we received at home could only cover a few hours per day. Since the hospice was a distance from home that presented me with a problem as I do not drive. Family and friends were wonderful in giving rides, but last winter’s weather made the drive difficult, even impossible, some days. I envied my sister in that the hospice where her husband was taken was only a few minutes away from home. A local hospice is a great blessing! – Gloria
“As a funeral director, I support hospice care for north Halton because I see firsthand how difficult it can be for family members to have to travel from home to either Oakville, Guelph or Burlington, on top of the emotional stress they are already under. I also see those who struggle to keep their family member at home, because there just isn’t space available. As an individual, I support hospice care for north Halton because should I ever need it myself, I want to know that there is a place for me close to home, to lighten the burden on my family.” — Rebecca Hunter
“When my husband, Ron, was diagnosed with lung cancer, his wish was to die at home. However he also wanted us to know that should caring for him become too much physically and/or emotionally, he wanted to be placed in a hospice. Unfortunately, there was no hospice in Milton or Halton Hills and no availability elsewhere when the end came. This picture was taken shortly before Ron died. It was the last time we were all together as just family. From then on, we were his caregivers. Our children, Matt and Amy, as well as our daughter-in-law, Tammy, were unable to have time with their father. Our grandson, Jake, could not have time with his Poppa. I did not have the time to be his wife. Those connections were lost and we all missed them so very much. We realized then that a hospice was desperately needed in our community. Working together with friends and family of Tessie Smith the Townsend Smith Foundation was formed. Our goal is to build a place where families can be together with their loved ones as they begin their end-of-life journey in a gentle, dignified way. Everyone should be able to have that time together, to just be there for each other.” – Janet Townsend
