One of the most persistent misconceptions about hospice is that choosing it means giving up hope. In reality, hospice represents a shift in priorities from treating or attempting to cure an illness to helping a person live as fully and comfortably as possible.
That shift can make an extraordinary difference.
WesleyLife Hospice brings together professionals who address the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of clients and their families. Physicians, nurses, hospice aides, social workers, chaplains, music therapists, and other members of the hospice team work together to manage symptoms, provide personal care, offer guidance and help families navigate unfamiliar circumstances.
Care is individualized, reflecting each person’s wishes, values, and needs. For one person, that might mean managing pain or other symptoms so they can enjoy a visit with grandchildren. For another, it might mean spiritual support, a familiar routine, or simply the comfort of knowing someone is available to answer questions.
Hospice also recognizes that serious illness affects more than the person receiving care. Family members may find themselves juggling medications, appointments, personal care, and countless decisions, often while managing their own grief and uncertainty.
With the right support, those responsibilities can become more manageable.
Families can spend less time worrying about what needs to be done and more
time simply being together.
The gift of being a daughter again
As the only child of her mother, Jane — the two are pictured here — Vickie was the primary caregiver for her aging mother. Her days revolved around frequent visits, hands-on assistance, and the constant concern that something might happen when she wasn’t there.
Vickie was exhausted. And as her mother’s needs increased, she found herself spending more time managing her care than enjoying their relationship.
Then, upon recommendation from a family friend, WesleyLife Hospice became part of their lives. What followed wasn’t simply a change in the services Jane received. It was a change in what mother and daughter were able to experience together.
In a letter shared in honor of her mother, Vickie describes the difference the hospice team made, from providing essential care and companionship to helping her mother continue to enjoy life. That enjoyment included a celebration of her 98th birthday.
Most meaningfully, Vickie describes what that support gave back to her:
When we were approved for WesleyLife Hospice services, it was such a godsend. Not only did Mom gain people who understood what she needed and provided the tools to care for her properly, but I gained a team of support I desperately needed. As an only child, I was stopping by her apartment morning, noon and night, and then again to help her get ready for bed, offering a small prayer that she would be safe through the night. I was exhausted and watching my mom slip away from me.
We thought we were going to lose her last December, but when Laura and her team started coming, Mom perked up and even looked forward to their visits. They took over her showers, fixed her hair, and even painted her fingernails. Anything she needed or requested, they provided.
A semi-private room became available at Park Centre, the WesleyLife community in our hometown of Newton, and we chose to move Mom there. We were truly blessed in her time there. With the help of the Park Centre team and WesleyLife Hospice, Mom continued to live a quality life, even celebrating her 98th birthday surrounded by loving people who cared.
Thanks to WesleyLife Hospice, I was able to become my mother’s daughter again — not an exhausted caregiver with little knowledge of what I was doing. I was able to rest knowing she was in good hands and under watchful eyes until her death at age 98, when she went to rest in the presence of Jesus.
I would wholeheartedly recommend WesleyLife Hospice services to anyone who needs assistance caring for a loved one.
Support that makes meaningful moments possible
Vickie’s experience illustrates something families may not fully appreciate until they’ve experienced hospice firsthand: Quality care can create opportunities for connection that might otherwise be overshadowed by the demands of illness.
Sometimes, those moments are wonderfully ordinary: having hair styled or fingernails
painted. Enjoying a conversation without worrying about the next medication or appointment. Celebrating a birthday that once seemed unreachable.
Other times, they involve helping someone fulfill a special wish.
Gifts to WesleyLife Foundation designated for WesleyLife Hospice help ensure that financial circumstances do not stand in the way of compassionate end-of-life care. Donor generosity helps bridge the gap for individuals who are unable to pay for services, providing access to the comfort, dignity, and personalized support they deserve. These contributions make a meaningful difference for individuals and
families during one of life’s most challenging times.
To lend your generous support to WesleyLife Hospice to help create meaningful experiences for clients and families, visit wesleylife.org/foundation.