When Robin Pulver’s sister was given a terminal diagnosis and needed hospice care, she knew who to turn to. Eventide Hospice — formerly Tabitha Hospice — had cared for Pulver’s mother, father and mother-in-law.
“The level of trust was always there with Eventide, from the first nurse that admitted them to each person who came out,” Pulver said. “They would sit down and just have a conversation with you. It puts you very much at ease. They walked you through every step along the way, and that was very comforting.”
Karen Cheesman, Eventide Hospice administrator, believes hospice care is vital because the team supports caregivers, families and friends by teaching them how to care for their loved ones. “Hospice can be a scary word, but having support come to you with needed equipment, medications and supplies is so important,” Cheesman said.
“Those last things they want to do — to have those grandkids come and visit, to have those friends come in — and for them to help facilitate that is very, very impactful,” Pulver said. “They take that burden off you as the loved one.”
More than caregivers: How Eventide Hospice becomes part of the family
Eventide Hospice believes consistency in caregivers is key for ensuring hospice clients and their loved ones are supported.
“You have the same nurses, the same hospice aides and the same social worker — they become part of your family,” Pulver said. “That’s what drives the importance of Eventide Hospice for us.”
Cheesman feels that is exactly what sets Eventide Hospice apart. “There is so much love throughout my entire team, and there is something special about being able to meet clients, support clients and love clients exactly where they’re at,” said Cheesman. “They have hospice hearts and honor dignity and the end of life.”
Pulver agrees that the level of care from the Eventide team stands out: “The morning my dad passed, the hospice aide came. She knew that he had passed, but she had been with my dad for about two years caring for him and wanted to say goodbye.”
Honoring the grieving process: Extended support for life after loss
Eventide supports family members and friends for 18 months following the loss of a loved one through individual grief support, grief support groups, remembrance services and more.
“Getting through those ‘firsts’ — the first holiday, the first birthday, the first anniversary of the loss — after a loved one passes is so difficult. But we understand that grief doesn’t end at that one-year mark,” Cheesman said.
Support groups meet throughout the year as a service to those experiencing the death of a loved one and promote healthy conversations between an Eventide team member trained in grief support and a small group of individuals going through a common experience.
“When the calls stop coming, when people stop showing up and bringing you through your grief, our groups give families companionship and connection with people who are also going through loss,” said Cheesman.
“Bereavement care is something I would recommend for everybody because it truly helps you through the grieving process. Grief doesn’t stop six months after the loss,” Pulver said. “It’s a continual thing that you need to have that support to help you deal with issues that come up during the years, to help you manage and deal with those things.”
For more information on Eventide Hospice, visit eventide.org/hospice or call 402.486.8506.
