Hospice by the Sea saved my father's life and my l...

Hospice by the Sea saved my father's life and my life 4 weeks ago. I didn t know whom to turn to for advice or help. Dad was 94 years old, Alzheimer s and in terrible, awful pain. I thought Hospice was for cancer patients in their last days. Brenda, the nurse who came to our home, explained what Hospice by the Sea is, and the criteria for admission. We talked about getting his pain under control, and taking it day by day after that. If he stabilized, he would come home.

The next 9 days were pain-free for my dad and truly soothing for my mom and me. We visited daily. The nurses and aides and nurse practitioner were amazing. They explained everything to mom and me. They cared for my dad as if he was their own dad. They talked to him, washed him, and shaved him. They explained to us what was happening. There were no secrets.

We talked to Dad to the very end. He heard us. He squeezed our hands. He opened his eyes when he could. He desperately wanted to leave this world, and be free of the pain and indignity of his disease. He had long ceased to be the husband and dad we knew. Hospice by the Sea was a gift to my dad, mom and me. I will be forever grateful to Brenda, Nicole, Marcia, Eleanor and Peggy.