On a recent fall evening, chilly to the touch but warming to the soul, under a starry sky with the heavens in clear view, families gathered at Hospice LaGrange to celebrate the lives of loved ones who have recently passed away. While this was a celebration of those who were once among us, it too should serve as recognition of the angels who walk among us and provide the exceptionally compassionate care to those who are in their last days.
If you know of West Georgia Hospice/Hospice LaGrange, you’re aware of the incredible staff who stop at nothing to meet the needs of their patients and, just as importantly, the loved ones of those in need. If you’re unaware of this priceless resource in our community, please indulge me as I share some unsolicited thoughts and praise for the professional care my family and I experienced during the last weeks of my father-in-law’s life.
From the day Ralph Ellington chose to go to hospice until the day he passed away, there was never a doubt that this was where he needed to be. Put at ease from the start by his first caregivers, Valerie and Nita, Ralph could never say enough about the level of compassion and care displayed by all who cared for him.
While the primary responsibility of the staff is to the resident, their patient, thoughtful and caring work with every member of our family never failed to ease our minds during this final leg of Ralph’s journey. In the last hours, as Erica provided him much-needed comfort, she displayed an incredible respect for our thoughts and feelings while explaining to us what was happening.
Even when their work was done, the care and compassion for our family continued. As our family went about the grieving that accompanies any death, the hospice staff shared with us their feelings on the experience of caring for Ralph.
“It was a privilege to care for him,” said one of the nurses. “He was special and we all loved him,” said another. But perhaps the most moving testament to both the patient and the staff was this: “We are here to care for others but sometimes God sends someone to care for us or minister to us.”
For nearly 12 weeks, angels named Valerie, Lucy, Lorraine, Monique, Jackie, Nita, Sheila, Gus, Erica, Brenda, Sarah and others, cared for my father-in-law in a manner infused with the utmost of dignity and compassion. Never was there any doubt about the commitment to care and well-being shared by every one of the hospice professionals.
While their experience in caring for Ralph left a piece of him in their lives, they must know our family will always hold their love and compassion in a special place in our hearts. This community is blessed to have such a marvelous facility, staffed by unique people who have been called to serve and care for many on their final journey.
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