Having Hospice Closer to Home

CATEGORY: News and Community; Testimonials
PUBLICATION: Journey
Our patient Linda knew more about hospice care and Hospice of the Western Reserve than most—she was an oncology nurse. Throughout her career she cared for thousands of patients and comforted countless families. When her own disease progressed beyond the point of treatment, Linda was very definitive in her choice of care providers. 

Choosing residential hospice care meant that her mother's life was coming to an end and it was unimaginably difficult. As a daughter, a wife and mother with a demanding fulltime job, Monina was challenged with day-to-day logistics.

Monina spent nights with her mother, rose at 5:00 a.m. and traveled the 30-mile commute home to Avon. She said goodbye to her husband, put her daughter on the school bus and changed for work before driving downtown. 

"I don't know how my car made it home some days," she said. "After a few weeks, I began to take advantage of everything that David Simpson Hospice House had to offer. It became where I lived," Monina remembers. Monina requested a bed. She used the laundry and the family kitchen. Encouraged by 24/7 visiting hours and our staff, her mom was able to receive a steady stream of visitors which created an atmosphere of love and joy. Linda was never alone. 

"The day Mom died, Dana (the nurse) called so I could be there. Just as my Mom was there for me when I took my first breath, I was able to be there for her last breath. Hospice gave that to me." 

Monina has spoken at several gatherings about her family's experience and the need for a west side residential facility. "Northeast Ohio is so lucky to have Hospice of the Western Reserve. We live in a small region and 30 miles isn't very far to go (for care,) but when you are physically and mentally exhausted, it is a very hard trip to make."  Editor's note: The Ames Family Hospice House in Westlake opened in 2012.