Testimonials

Henry’s Story

When Henry was first diagnosed with congestive heart failure (CHF), he and his family didn’t know what the next steps were. Their family physician recommended that they reach out to Haven for help. Through the family physician referral, Haven was able to offer Advance Care Planning and access to a Transitions program to Henry.

Advance Care Planning

Through Haven’s Advance Care Planning program, Haven offered Henry opportunities for facilitated discussion with his family present about his healthcare goals, values and beliefs. During the discussions, Henry’s choices for current and future medical care and treatment were documented and shared with his physician. Haven also provided guidance in completing an advance directive which provided peace of mind for his wife, Barbara and their son, Robert. Henry designated his wife Barbara as his health care surrogate to make decisions on his behalf in case he became unable to make his own decisions. Now they wouldn’t have to make those difficult decisions if Henry became unresponsive during the progression of his illness.

Transitions

Through the Transitions program, a Haven registered nurse referred Henry to a local, CHF support group. Haven also called Barbara and Henry to check in on how they were both doing. Robert was also able to take Barbara to get her hair done while a Haven Volunteer provided companionship for Henry for those few hours a week that they were gone.

Palliative Care

Then one day, Henry was admitted to the hospital. Their hospital physician requested that Haven provide a palliative care consultation for Henry to help manage his pain and symptoms as well as clarify his goals of care. Haven’s Palliative Care Specialist talked with Henry and his family about the progression of his illness and the choices available to him. Haven recommendations for the management of Henry’s pain and shortness of breath were provided to the hospital physician. Robert was concerned about how this was going to be paid for because his parents were living on a fixed income. Haven explained that the palliative care consult is paid for by Medicare Part B, Medicaid and most commercial insurers.

Hospice Care

Over the course of four months, Henry’s health deteriorated rapidly. The Haven Palliative Care Provider visited Henry in his home to evaluate the situation and discussed goals of care with him and Barbara. Haven arranged for hospice care for Henry. Now they could all focus on spending quality time with one another because Haven provided the comfort, care and compassion that they all needed.

Benefits of Hospice Care

• Because Henry enrolled with Haven for hospice care, he was taken off the medications that he did not need, and his symptoms and pain were expertly managed.
• Henry became more alert and was able to spend more quality time with Barbara, Robert and Robert’s son while Haven Hospice staff took care of Henry’s physical and medical needs.
• Henry also didn’t leave the house for doctor appointments. Haven Hospice Medical Providers came to his home.
• Volunteers also came into their home to give Barbara time to go to the grocery store and run errands each week.
• Robert was able to focus on being a son again while a Haven Hospice Home Health Aide attended to Henry’s personal care needs.
• Robert and Barbara didn’t have to bring Henry to the hospital because he was enrolled in hospice services.
• When they had questions about Henry’s care, they called Haven where a Registered Nurse was available by phone 24 hours a day.

Haven Services

Henry served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. At his request, Haven Veteran Volunteers came to his home to acknowledge his service with a veteran-to-veteran pinning. Robert was so proud of Henry, and Robert’s son had the chance to see his grandfather recognized. When Barbara and Robert had to go out of town to visit relatives, Henry received respite care at a Haven Hospice Care Center. Robert was relieved to learn that Medicare pays for respite care. During his respite care stay, a Haven Pet Volunteer visited Henry. He really enjoyed spending time with Zeus, a Labrador Retriever, who reminded him of his childhood pet.

Haven Walked the Journey with Henry and his Family

At admission to hospice, Haven volunteers and staff assessed Henry’s end-of-life needs and were able to look back to the documentation done in the Advance Care Planning stage. There were a few updates on how Henry wanted the last days to look like and volunteers and staff made sure that happened. As the end of life approached, Haven was there to answer their questions, hold their hands and be a supportive presence for the whole family as Henry passed on peacefully.

Remembering Henry

Surrounded by family, Henry passed away as he envisioned in his Advance Care Plan — at home and surrounded by all his family. Haven was there to assist Barbara and Robert in carrying out Henry’s wishes. A few weeks later, Haven followed up with Barbara who participated in bereavement family sessions with a Haven licensed clinical social worker. That summer, Barbara and Robert took Robert’s son to Camp Safe Haven. Supported by Haven’s staff and volunteers, they engaged in enjoyable and therapeutic activities to help them work through their grief as a family and remember Henry.
One year later, Barbara and Robert attended a Love and Remembrance event at their local Haven office/care center and had the opportunity to remember Henry and reconnect with Haven staff who walked that journey with them. They were encouraged to bring pictures and mementos of Henry’s, and they placed them on the Table of Memories. It was a beautiful event and anyone in the community who had lost a loved one was invited. Attending Camp Safe Haven and the annual Love and Remembrance event also offered them the opportunity to connect with other families who were experiencing grief.