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.
Christine
Christine, 91, is in our Blue Room. She has devoted her life to taking care of her children and grandchildren. She worked many jobs, often several jobs at once, in order to make ends meet. Now it’s our turn to help Christine’s family, including daughter Mindi...
Barbara
After being with us for just a handful of days, Barbara, 74, passed away at the end of December. Bob, her husband of 51 years, barely left her side. They married on Valentine’s Day in 1969, sneaking in a wedding during his time as a Vietnam Green Beret. He misses her...
Lorena
Lorena, 95, died at ABODE during the February snowstorm. Her granddaughters Rachelle and Stephanie called her “Momo” and were such a comfort to her in her final days. Weeks before coming to ABODE, Momo was dancing on her porch. Not long after, she suffered a stroke...
David
David, 64, came to us after suffering from a stroke. He couldn't communicate verbally – in fact, he remained in a deep sleep most of his time with us. When we welcome Guests who are unable to speak or open their eyes, we offer our soft voices, music, meditation,...
Patricia
Patricia, 60, came to ABODE quite unresponsive – no eye contact, no cues that she was listening to us or understanding our words. Yet when her son, Stephon, arrived for a visit, she perked right up and the two began talking and joking just as moms and sons do. We were...
Chuck
Chuck arrived at ABODE with his beautiful bride Tatiyana. The two met on a dating app, fell in love instantly and were married last spring. A few months before their wedding, Chuck, 64, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. “I asked her if she still wanted to marry...
Helen
A Vietnam vet and very independent, Helen, 82, arrived at ABODE in quite a bit of pain. It took a while for her various medications to alleviate her discomfort, and then she was able to settle into her journey with frequent visits from family and neighbors. We take...
Jack
The very handsome Jack joined us in late September. He’s 92 – a former oil man who managed the accounting function for Tesoro and later, Marathon Oil. He lost his beloved wife earlier this year. His face lights up when he talks about her – they were very happily married 42 years. His children and their spouses love to dote on Jack. And we love to dote on him, too.
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...
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.
