No one wants to know what Hospice is all about until they need to know. We understand. We also understand, though, that if people knew more about Hospice care ahead of time, that they could make an informed, confident decision, and that both the patient and caregiver(s) could have vital support and guidance sooner in this personal journey. Often, we hear from surviving family members say how they wish they had contacted Hospice sooner, and that they didn’t know just how much they themselves needed support until Hospice was there to provide it. Open and honest communication is important. For someone uncertain about reaching out for Hospice care, who better to hear from than someone who can speak from experience. We would like to share your story.
If you are interested in sharing your own personal experience as a written testimonial as a way of opening the doors for families who find themselves needing to know more, please email us at: testimonials@hospicecny.org.
-Laura – Survivor
“The Hospice staff saw a person and saw beyond his illness. There were so many times my dad was ready to quit but you all gave him hope. My Dad is perhaps the strongest, most committed man I have ever met. In the 17 years he battled his illness, all he ever wanted was more time and you gave that to him. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Amid a pandemic, you all found a way to partner with our family and to give my Dad a chance to finish his unfinished business with dignity.”
-Jim – Survivor
“We all face end of life. It’s not easy. But Hospice is here to provide the compassionate care needed to help ease patients, caregivers, and families through the process. Hospice staff and volunteers are patient, caring, knowledgeable, and always available. They provide guidance. They listen and soothe. They smile and laugh with us. They feel our pain. They deal with our anger and frustration. They cry with us. They help us, as best they can, to die with dignity. Then after death, they help caregivers and family through the difficult and painful process of coping with loss. Time does not heal. What heals is who and what we fill the moments in our life with between the time a loved one dies and the present. Hospice is always here to help fill the holes left in our lives.”
To read the full Winter Newsletter, please click here!