Did you know that your donation to United Way of Greater Williamsburg of just $2 a week provides emergency lifeline service for one patient through the Hospice & Palliative Care Program?

Hospice Support Care of Williamsburg is a United Way partner agency.

   

HOSPICE SUPPORT CARE OF WILLIAMSBURG


Caring About What Matters . . .

 

Following is a story about one family from James City County helped by the care received from Hospice, a United Way partner agency. For privacy, names have been changed.

 

Sam was diagnosed with cancer about a year before a hospital discharge planner referred him to Hospice Support Care. He went home with a home health care nurse and aide assigned to provide the care covered by his medical insurance. A Hospice Support Care volunteer was introduced to provide respite for this wife, Emily, and to make sure she had the supplies she needed to care for him. After a few weeks at home, Sam was bed-bound and wearing diapers. Emily found that she caused Sam pain when she tried to turn him and she injured her back in the process. When Emily realized that she could no longer manage his care at home, she was fearful that Sam would have to go to a nursing home. Instead, he was admitted to Hospice House.

 

Hospice House
Sam's admission to Hospice House was for end of life care. His wife, Emily and adult daughter, Jane, were able to visit him daily. Most days, Jane brought Sam's granddaughter, Jennie, a five year old, along when she came to see him. After a few minutes with her granddad, Jennie entertained herself with the dollhouse and other toys in the family room, while Jane read the newspaper to her dad. Most days, Jane fixed a light lunch for Sam, herself and Jennie to share before leaving for the day. In the afternoon, his wife, Emily, stayed with him until his bedtime. During the last few days of Sam's life, Emily stayed and slept in his room rather than going home at night. Sam received care at Hospice House until his death some three weeks later.



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