Compassionate Care: Annette and Ed

Annette and Ed's journey took them across the nation, with Ed's federal job bringing them to settle in the Greater Cleveland area after living most recently in Virgina. Ed was diagnosed with type two diabetes, which led to a series of health complications, including large B-cell lymphoma that resulted in aphasia and loss of mobility. 

Annette, as his primary caregiver, found herself in need of support to continue caring for Ed, which they found through in-home hospice care. “The hospice nurse came and supported me in my decision making,” says Annette. “They helped me with basic care and made sure that I understood the care he was receiving.” Hospice of the Western Reserve provided Annette with respite care, giving her peace of mind to take a break, knowing Ed was in excellent hands. Respite care offers a temporary break for caregivers to rejuvenate and prevent burnout, and it's available for all hospice patients at Hospice of the Western Reserve's care centers.

In autumn 2022, Ed entered Ames Family Hospice House for end-of-life care. Following his passing, Annette sought grief support from various sources, including Western Reserve Grief Services. She joined Circle of Hope, a six-week educational support group for those grieving a loss. "Grief counseling at Hospice of the Western Reserve was also a great help for my children," Annette shares. 

"It provided me with a way to process my grief and gave me additional support." Annette also took time to come to terms with her loss as a caregiver, a profound type of grief that's often intensified by the caregiving experience. Through bereavement counseling and support groups, she confronted the emotional and psychological hurdles that long-term caregivers face. Annette believes, "Hospice is not just about the end of life. It's an important service that shouldn't be feared."

Annette’s journey, marked by the compassionate care her husband received and the invaluable grief support provide, stands as a testament to the profound impact of comprehensive hospice care in bringing comfort and healing to families during their most challenging times.