It wasn’t until Dad’s doctor told us to get hospice involved that we truly understood what it meant. Looking back, it was the best decision we made as a family.

None of us knew what hospice would be like, but from the moment we called, they were there for us. They answered every question, offered support at every step, and reassured us that we didn’t have to do this alone.

They didn’t just provide medical care; they gave us peace of mind.

As Dad’s health worsened, we did everything we could to care for him at home but the day we went to the hospice Men’s Group, things took a turn. Dad was very disoriented and couldn’t get out of the car, so the hospice team came and assessed him where he was.

The doctor gave us three options: take Dad home, return him to the hospital, or see if there was a bed available at hospice. We knew he didn’t want to go back to the hospital. Then came the news we didn’t expect—a bed was available at hospice, right when we needed it most.

A bed is not just a bed.

It was where we held Dad’s hand for the last time. It wasn’t just a place for him to rest—it was where we, as a family, could be with him in his final days. It was where the nurses, doctors, and staff became our support system. After 13 years of being his carers we were able to simply be his family again when he needed it the most.

Dad was tended to him with such kindness and dignity, even down to offering his favourite treat—three servings of jelly and ice cream, making sure his final days were filled with comfort and joy.

Hospice offers more than a bed—it offers peace, care, and a place to hold your loved one’s hand, just when you need it the most.” Julie