Halcyon Hospice House (Atlanta, Ga.) – Hospice Heroes

Halcyon Hospice House – Atlanta, Ga.

Halcyon Hospice House in Atlanta, Ga., recently received a letter from the sister (and also POA) of a patient they had cared for. This particular patient had fought a long and hard battle with lung cancer. Her sister wrote that the last three months of her life, when the medical treatments stopped working and the cancer took over her life, were rapid, dramatic and frightening.

The patient was first moved to a skilled nursing facility for a few weeks after being released from the hospital. Her sister felt that the care was disappointing. The facility eventually sent her to the ER where she was evaluated and recommended for inpatient hospice care. That is when Halcyon House stepped in. At first her sister was worried that she might be making a mistake, and that she would have an experience similar to the one in the skilled nursing facility. 

The patient’s sister stated that everything changed the moment she decided to go with Halcyon House. The intake process was surprisingly efficient. People actually showed up when they were supposed to – BEFORE they were supposed to. Paperwork was minimal and handled efficiently and with respect and dignity for the family and the patient. 

Her sister was attended to and settled immediately. Her room was beautiful and the facility was just as it appeared in the brochure they had seen. From that moment on, everything the patient needed was taken care of in the most expedient and caring fashion. The family was amazed by the positive and caring attitude of not just some of the staff, but ALL of the staff. She never had a moment’s worry from the time her sister arrived until the time she passed away. The staff also went out of their way to attend to her family and visitors as best they could.

She went on to say that she saw all of the notes, cards and letters posted on the bulletin board from other grateful family members, and couldn’t let the opportunity go by to tell them how grateful they all were for the care, dignity and kindness they showed her sister, her family and her friends while they were at Halcyon House.

What a privilege we have to be able to walk the end-of-life journey with our patients and their loved ones. Hospice helps to fill the void of a loved one’s death with peace, compassion and love. Thanks to Terry Ritchie, administrator, and the entire team at Halcyon House for taking this journey with your patients and their loved ones and helping ease their pain. You are all our Hospice Heroes!