Testimonials
 
Hospice is about living with dignity, love and respect. Over the years we have received countless letters, cards and telephone calls from grateful families who have been served by hospice. Following are excerpts from just a few of the letters we have received:

"Helen was the name of the "hospice lady" who looked after my mom. She was very considerate, quiet, always smiling and I cannot praise her enough for the friendship she gave to my mom. Mom and Helen became friends and confidants. Mom died in peace and was fully prepared for her death. It was after this experience with hospice that I decided to become involved with the RMHS to become a visiting volunteer."
- Laurette M.

"Last summer my Aunt Helen was the sick, and I, the weary -- both needing gentle care at the end of her life's journey. The Hospice was our shelter - our refuge at a time of need. I called them, and immediately a volunteer was at our side. I was so impressed by this volunteer's ability to pick up on non-verbal things in the room, things that told her about Helen, and enabled her to reach out to her in a way that was most meaningful. She prayed with her, and I believe her presence and words, allowed Helen to pass on peacefully to her final resting place."
- Val S.

"My sister took mom to check out the hospice facility for dad. Neither of them knew what to expect as they had not been in one before. They found that it was like a home away from home, but with the medical care of the hospital. Dad who did not initially like the idea of being in a hospice facility, liked the home atmosphere and was laughing and talking with the nurses. Hospice volunteers would always be within arm's reach and waiting in the wings to give assistance. Dad died at peace, free from pain and with dignity."
- Dinah W.

"Through the grief recovery program you have helped me to let go of my husband. My thinking has changed profoundly in the past weeks and I feel lightness I haven't felt in a long time." From a lady in the grief recovery program.

"I wish everyone could have as much comfort and love, as much as of normal surroundings in his final days as my dear husband."
- Jossine E.

"If you feel you need time alone with your loved one, take it if at all possible. If you are pressured to deny what you feel by anyone else, ignore it. If others are dealing with the loss of a loved one differently than you are, accept it. If you are struggling with your commitment to a job versus remaining at the bedside, there is only one decision that will sustain you in the coming years, stay!"
- Colleen N.

"Hospice volunteers of all types are needed - those who can deal with the religious needs of patients, and those we are willing to respect the lack of religious needs of patients.
I look forward to a time when there are more choices in Maple Ridge for death with dignity, death with love and death in the place of one's choice."
- Debra W. after the death of her husband at home

And, finally comments from our own volunteers:

"I am proud to be a hospice volunteer. It is very heartwarming to me to be able to give some joy to someone during the final stages of her/his life. It leaves me with a good feeling and I would strongly urge anyone to become a volunteer."
- Andy Y.

"I would recommend hospice volunteering to people of all ages and backgrounds who are able to give of themselves. The satisfaction you receive from helping the dying and the bereaved far outweighs the effort it takes. Like myself, we often don't realize the impact hospice has on us until we have experienced the death of a loved one."
- Laurette M.