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.
Michael
Mike came to us in a quite nervous and agitated state. But mostly, he was tired, nauseous and feeling very alone. At 69, he'd been on dialysis for many years and, a few weeks prior, he decided that it was time for those treatments to come to an end. He needed a place...
Brenda
When Brenda, 70, arrived, she seemed to have quite a bit of energy – even asking that Milo join her on her bed for a while. That’s not unusual. Milo seems to perk up most folks. Brenda’s decline was steady – though filled with so much love. So many of her family...
Esther
Esther joined us right after Christmas as our 200th Guest at ABODE. She was 99 years old, and died right before turning 100. Her niece spent a good part of the day with her, and her beloved grandson, who lives out of state, called regularly to tell her how much he...
Helen
We welcomed Helen just a month shy of her 95th birthday. Helen had been fairly independent, living with her son (pictured) and his wife – until her health took a turn. She spent her career as a beautician and a musician, and played the piano for her church for 72...
Paul
With Paul as our Guest, ABODE is now a partner in the Compassionate Release Program, which allows federal prisoners to be released for “extraordinary or compelling circumstances.” At age 70, Paul was serving his sentence in Austin when he stopped eating and it became clear his life was drawing to a very quick close.
BJ
We welcomed BJ to ABODE in late September. She’s 73 and has had a wonderful entrepreneurial career as owner of a janitorial and pest control service. She’s also a wonderful artist and animal lover. BJ has always lived on her own and is, as you can imagine, fiercely independent. Her cancer, though, has made it impossible for her to live alone any longer.
Esther
Esther came to ABODE in October. After losing her son, she’d lived with her daughter-in law for many years. Our time together was just a few days, and her passing was very quiet and peaceful.
Eddie
Milo often helps greet our Guests, just as he did in October when Eddie came to ABODE. Eddie had quite the career, hobnobbing with celebrities even U.S. Presidents in Las Vegas back in the day. He moved to San Antonio a few years ago to be close to his family.
Sandra
When we welcomed Sandra, 76, to ABODE in late August, she told us that she barely slept the night before because she was so excited to join us – and to hold her daughter, Joy, in her arms for the first time in six long weeks. The facility where Sandra had been did not allow in-person visits.
Christopher
Christopher was an emergency case. Despite being very ill, he was discharged from a local hospital with absolutely nowhere to go. The timing happened to be just right. He arrived on a Thursday and died in the middle of the night with our End of Life Navigator Claudia by his side.
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.
