The Kathy Hospice

It may seem morbid to write a review for a hospice, but people turn to Unilocal for recommendations on all sorts of things. Unilocal is helpful, because it’s a space for first person insight into an experience… even when the experience isn’t necessarily fun. Most of the time, it’s all about drinks and food and events, but this time, it’s not.
My grandpa died this morning. Death is always sad, but my grandpa was pretty old — 96! — and he lived a long and full life. The man was stubborn as all get out; in fact, when he was 89 he had a massive stroke and bounced back. We were singing happy birthday to him at my uncle’s on his 90^th birthday later that year. He regained control of his speech and his motor skills that late in life, and was able to walk with a cane for awhile, too. So crazy. The man was STUBBORN and I loved that about him. He just wouldn’t quit, not for his whole life he wouldn’t.
But last month it became apparent that he wouldn’t be bouncing back from congestive heart failure and a host of other ailments, so my family made the difficult decision to admit him to hospice.
I was really nervous about going and visiting. Death is sad and scary and confusing and hospices — by their very nature — are places where people go to die. I was so so nervous and I didn’t know what to expect. (Up until this morning I was lucky enough to have lived my life having had all four of my grandparents. I had, unwittingly, outrun the experience of dealing with death in the family until the age of 30. Rare stuff.)
The Kathy Hospice is part of the St. Joe’s campus in West Band. The staff is kind and patient and thoughtful and attentive and knowledgeable. I don’t know how they do it; these folks are basically saints, I think. They see such sick people and sad families all the time, yet they are able to remain patient and gracious and strong. The facilities themselves were clean, bright and open and sort of «home-​like.» This hospice and the staff were a saving grace for many family members who spent long hours there.
Additionally, I also can’t recommend the «little blue hospice book,» titled «Gone From My Sight» enough. It really helped a bunch of my family members to understand and process the dying experience that my grandpa was going through.
RIP, Harold. Love you.

Visiting a friends grandfather who was not going to be with us much longer, he looked very comfortable and peaceful. The facility is beautiful and clean. The staff was very attentive, patient and friendly. I only was here for a little less than an hour, but I was able to see what a wonderful place this is. I would be more than okay with my family residing in a place like this if it came to that point.