Each of our Guests is special and unique – though we’ve found common threads in their final days. They often ask: What did my life represent? Did I say everything I wanted to say? Did I love well? Was I loved?
Our contemplative approach to care comes into play as Guests ponder those questions. We have honed a sixth sense about nuanced changes, needs, when to engage, when to pull back and when to simply be present – because sometimes the most helpful thing we can do is simply be. ABODE is a place where Guests can find peace before they die. And we honor and celebrate them every step of the way.
Janet, Raymond and Linda
Within the past few weeks, we’ve cared for – and said goodbye to – Janet and Raymond. Both Guests were with us for less than a week, and they both died quietly and peacefully. Janet’s son and daughter were by her side when she took her last breath. We then welcomed...
James
James came to us quite unresponsive – in fact, we thought he’d pass quite quickly. His daughter, shown here with him, had prepared herself to say her final goodbye. Yet, a day or so later, he woke up! We just never know how our Guests’ experiences will change from...
Gordon
Gordon came to us after a series of falls that, along with other conditions, led him to his final stretch of life. We cared for him for just a few days until he took his last breath, quietly and peacefully. That’s one of our volunteers, Ed Alderette, sitting with...
Linda
Linda came to us after battling cancer for 8 long and painful years. That’s our wonderful End of Life Navigator Sarah Lee with her. Linda’s husband and daughter spent many hours by her side, reading to her – she loved literature – and focusing on their love for her in...
Dwight
Dwight came to us on a Friday morning after being sent to respite care when it was clear he could no longer live by himself. He was all alone in this world – no friends and no family. He could no longer navigate the stairs up to his second floor apartment, and he...
Minnie
There’s nothing like the love between a grandmother and her grandson. Minnie was one of our Guests who came to ABODE – and improved! And that’s not just because of our care. Her family, including her grandson Marcus, visited her daily, bringing her special surprises...
Sandy
At ABODE, our hearts are extra touched when we can care for our veterans – especially one as beautiful as Sandy. Sandy was a colonel in the Air Force – an Air Force nurse, in fact. She spent her career as a researcher and leader in the nursing field, having managed...
David
David and Milo have become big buddies – and it could be because David sneaks him treats! David recently celebrated his birthday here, with about 25 family members gathering on his patio outside his room at ABODE for barbecue, carrot cake, presents, storytelling,...
Tom
We are always honored to care for our veterans – including our newest Guest, Tom, a retired Air Force Master Sergeant. Tom served in Vietnam. Here, Tom is visited by another retired Air Force vet – Colonel Hal Smarkola. They had a lovely chat and shared a crisp...
Geoff
Geoff arrived the day after his daughter Merritt married her fiance – right in Geoff’s hospital room. Knowing that Geoff was in his final phase of life, they didn’t want him to miss the festivities. In fact, this first picture shows Geoff and Merritt “dancing” in his...
Our Veterans
About 5 percent of our Guests are veterans. All branches of the service have been represented. We are grateful to Herschel Sheines and the Jewish War Veterans for their continued support of ABODE and our Veteran Guests.
We’re always especially honored when we can care for Guests who served in our military. In fact, we always place a flag representing their military branch outside their room.
