Embracing Strength: A Daughter's Journey Through Hospice Care

If you came to my Dad’s house, he would always welcome you, ask you how you are, and if you wanted something to drink,” says Jen Walker West about her father, Willie. The picture of health, Willie was a vibrant member of the community, playing basketball until he was 76 and going to the

 gym well into his 80s. When an underlying health issue was uncovered during a hospital stay, Willie was diagnosed with heart failure and respiratory failure. Rocked by these diagnoses, Jen quickly took action to make sure her father was cared for at home. On the recommendation of the hospital physician, she contacted Hospice of the Western Reserve. “We had help with everything and no stone was left unturned,” says Jen. “They helped us secure a hospital bed, and medical equipment and explained my Dad’s medications.” During this time, Jen shouldered the responsibility of being the primary caregiver for her father, while balancing her health struggles alongside his needs.

As she awaited a kidney transplant, which she received in the fall of 2023, Jen had weekly dialysis

treatments and her own doctor’s appointments. The HWR team was able to provide crucial support for her so that she could attend to her own health needs and know that her father was receiving the care he needed. “Hospice of the Western Reserve offered me help to move through the process and gave me the support I needed,” says Jen. In Willie's final days, an HWR Social Worker came to the house and helped Jen make funeral arrangements and answer questions she had. After her father passed away, Jen continued to utilize Hospice of the Western Reserve for support. Within a few weeks, Jen received a call from a Bereavement Coordinator who provided information about grief and the resources that HWR can provide. 

During the grieving process, Jen started to clean out her father’s house which he lived in for over 50 years. “I was looking for somewhere to donate some of my Dad’s books and furniture and our Bereavement Coordinator suggested the HWR Warehouse Sale,” says Jen. “They even came to help clean it out and take some of the items away.” Through a range of services, Hospice of the Western Reserve was able to support both Willie as a patient and Jen as a caregiver. 

By addressing both their physical, emotional and practical needs, HWR played a crucial role in easing the burden and providing comfort during an unexpected and challenging time. “People think that hospice is the end or it’s the worst-case scenario,” says Jen. “But it’s the best thing you can do for someone you love.”