Client Testimonials

Life can present unexpected challenges. While we acknowledge that life inevitably concludes in death, we often neglect to consider the necessary preparations for that eventuality. Over the past several months, my family has encountered three poignant losses. The first, a
profoundly unforeseen tragedy, involved the eldest son of my aunt. The second loss was my cherished aunt, for whom I had been the primary caregiver during her battle with Alzheimer’s. Lastly, a profound loss was experienced with the passing of my beloved father. When informed at the rehabilitation facility that he was transitioning to comfort care, I promptly took decisive action to arrange for his return home.

The relationship I developed with Shelter Hospice during my aunt’s care made it clear that they were the right choice for my father’s care. Shelter Hospice consistently provided calm and support during challenging times. Initially, transitioning to hospice care was scary and came with a steep learning curve. Not only did my family learn to care for our loved ones in new ways, but we also formed lasting relationships. Every staff member at Shelter Hospice demonstrated an incredible amount of empathy. Regardless of how stressful our days were, their presence always made things better.

Robert, our RN, is a great person. He showed compassion when we thought all was lost. He provided education on how to better care for our loved ones without harming ourselves. The night before my dad passed away, we were all gathered in his room around his bed, and Robert was standing in the middle. Dad had an internal cardiac defibrillator, and we were planning to turn it off the next day when suddenly that device shocked Dad so hard he flew up in the air. As heartbroken as I was watching this happen to my father, I couldn’t help but notice the profound impact it had on Robert. The sadness was so prevalent. As Robert gathered the morphine out of the fridge we had in the room, his hands were trembling. The day Dad passed away, I asked Gloria to please check on Robert because what we all witnessed was nothing short of traumatizing. I needed to know Robert was okay.

Ms. Alice is an extraordinary individual who holds a special place in my heart. Her unwavering grace and exceptional care for my aunt left a profound impact on me. I was able to rest easy knowing that Alice was there, making everything possible. When it was time for my dad to return home, one phone call to Alice was all it took for her to take charge. The transition for my dad from the rehab facility to home was seamless, thanks to Alice’s diligent efforts and expertise.

Ms. Gloria was always there for me when I needed a calming voice during difficult times. When my aunt was nearing the end of her life, something seemed to be bothering her, but we couldn’t figure out what it was. It turned out to be terminal agitation, and Gloria was the one who recognized it. This experience helped me understand how painful and traumatic it can be for someone who is preparing to pass away. When my dad was close to passing, I informed Gloria that he was “mottling,” and she immediately came over. Less than 20 minutes later, my dad was gone, but Gloria’s presence provided peace in the air without saying a word.

Pheeba … So pleasant and caring. I didn’t get to work with her a whole lot, but the few times were enough for her to have a special place in my heart.

Chaplain Wes is someone I really connected with. When my cousin was killed, I called Chaplain Wes to be on standby as we prepared to tell my aunt about her son’s death. Chaplain Wes not only came to the house to pray with us, but also made sure to check in on the whole family whenever he visited my aunt. Unfortunately, my Dad didn’t have a chance to interact with Chaplain Wes.

The three tragic losses I’m referring to happened on September 21, 2023, November 24, 2023, and April 17, 2024. Each passing was deeply meaningful to me, with each individual holding a special place in my heart.

On June 14, 2024, my sister called me to ask about the hospice company we used for Dad. I told her it was Shelter Hospice and gave her the office phone number and Alice’s contact information. I also sent a text to Alice, informing her that our family needed care for Granny once again. I was confident that Granny would receive exceptional care from the staff and organization, just like the previous times.