HER HOME

Three days ago we admitted, "Julie", eighty-one, to hospice. Julie has a long history of lung disease. Julie has been widowed 42 years and has three children. Julie has been healthy most of her life and able to manage independently with all of her needs.

In the recent past, Julie has become weaker and aware that she may not be able to care for herself without help. Four weeks ago, she moved into a Residential Care Facility around the block from her home. It was there she would get meals and support as needed. She had a room on the second floor which gave her privacy and a view of a small garden on the grounds.

Julie's health continued to rapidly decline. She was becoming more dependent, eating less and sleeping a lot more. Our hospice nurse went out to see Julie and her son, "Matt", three days ago to admit her to our program. Due to the Corona Virus, the facility is not allowing staff other than a hospice nurse or home health aid to visit. Hours before the hospice admission three days ago, Matt wheeled his mother home the two blocks in her wheelchair.

I called Matt today to introduce myself and to educate him on the Social Worker role and support. One could hear the love in his voice. His total focus was on his mother and to lovingly support her; which he was doing so beautifully. I praised him for being a strong advocate for his mother. He thanked me for that as I am sure he did not hear those words from the facility.

Matt and his wife live locally and are available to help as needed. Both of them have moved into his mother's home to stay for the duration of her illness. This is a awesome example of those beautiful moments that fill my heart with joy. I feel so honored to have met Matt and to have witnessed his loving heart.

ADDENDUM: Julie died four hours after Matt's and my telephone conversation. She died surrounded by unconditional love from her family. It doesn't get any better than that.


HER HOME　

She's been widowed over forty years
so has spent a long time with just herself.
Recently, her health has limited her independence
so she moved into an Assisted Living Center
          around the corner from her home.

These last few weeks have been hard
as she is rapidly declining; needing more and more help.
The Corona Virus is strongly looming around,
so the facility is allowing no visitors; no family.

Her son's heart was breaking.
He so wanted, and needed to be by her side.
He broke their rules and went indoors to her room.
Hence: he wheeled her around the corner to her home
making sure she would never again be alone.

Some folks may think he was wrong,
but I see him as a strong advocate
totally doing, by far, the right thing
in simply needing and caring for his mom.

His true thoughts are doing what is best
for her, for him, and for the family.
She is now unresponsive with labored breathing.
He and the family knows it is just hours to only a few days.

I shared that she was giving he and the family time.
Time to say those words you want her to hear
as it takes no energy to listen to heartfelt words
          or to feel a soft, gentle touch.

I praised him for what he had done.
It was a perfect example of unconditional love.
She is not alone, upstairs in a stark room,
but surrounded by her loving family
with the best thing of all being;
          she is home.