Our Stories
Tell Me Your Story, Please
I have called Strathmore home for the last 25 years. I lost my Mom, Diane at the young age of 69. She had been struggling with end stage kidney failure for quite some time. When she was discharged from the hospital in Calgary, my Dad and I decided to take her home and care of her for as long as we were able to. It helped that we both have nursing backgrounds. We could not have kept her home for over a month without the care and guidance from Strathmore’s Palliative Home Care and their team. Our nurse Nicole, was truly a Godsend and she brought with her a wealth of knowledge. She allowed us, with the guidance of my Mom’s doctor, to administer her routine and pain meds as needed. Also available to us was in home support from the Wheatland & Area Hospice Society. Having volunteered with this society since it started, I have seen multiple families benefit in so many ways. The ways they supported me and my family was a blessing. Knowing we weren’t alone in my Mom’s end of life journey brought us much comfort during and after she passed. We are so very thankful and proud to call Strathmore our home and all that it offers.
Jenny’s Story
Doris’s Story
We were so fortunate to have had the privilege of meeting Nola Schaffer, a bedside respite volunteer with the Wheatland Hospice Society.
Willard greatly enjoyed her visits every Tuesday and Thursday throughout his time in Hospice. Her constant loyalty throughout Christmas Day, New Year's Day and many other special days, never faltered regardless of the weather. Their connection provided me with a great comfort and allowed me to take care of errands and have some personal time.
Nola had a wonderful way of stimulating conversation and allowing Willard to reminisce about his upbringing, the good old days, and share stories about his family. Her enjoyment of games paired perfectly with Willard's competitive nature when it came to crib. She was the perfect fit.
Special days were acknowledged and made possible by Nola, purchasing cards and bouquets of flowers, for Willard to gift me on Valentine's Day and Mother's Day. This kindness allowed Willard to maintain a sense of normalcy throughout this time.
I was presented with a lovely set of Journals that captured every visit Nola and Willard shared throughout his eight month journey with Hospice. This is a precious gift I will treasure forever.
My family and I are forever grateful for the support and level of service that Wheatland Hospice Society provided us with. - Doris Skibsted