Family Organizes Fundraiser as a Thank You to VNA Care Hospice
When faced with a terminal illness, Thomas F. McGrath Sr. made sure his family knew he wanted to remain at home. His wife Barbara and their children sought out VNA Care Hospice, an affiliate of VNA Care Network, to make sure Thomas received his wish.
VNA Care Hospice offers specialized care for terminally ill individuals and their families that focuses on life. Services address emotional, spiritual, physical, and practical needs with an emphasis on pain and symptom management for the patient.
Care is provided in patients' homes and assisted living and other facilities in Eastern and Central Massachusetts. VNA Care Hospice also includes three homelike hospice residences (Chilton House, Cambridge; Hospice Residence on Coes Pond, Worcester; and Tippett Home, Needham) for patients who can no longer receive care in their own homes.
Barbara said that her husband, who passed away in July 2004, was very happy with his VNA Care Hospice caregivers and that "if needed, the staff were there in no time." She added that the hospice team was as concerned for her well-being as they were for her husband's.
The McGraths were so impressed with hospice that they organized a benefit for the agency in memory of Thomas "as a thank you," according to Robert McGrath, Thomas's son. Robert spearheaded a roast beef dinner and raffle held recently at the Charlton Beagle Club.
VNA Care Hospice relies on the generosity of donors such as the McGraths to support its mission of caring for the terminally ill. Gifts allow the agency to provide vital services for patients as well as help maintain the hospice residences, offer bereavement support, and train volunteers. For more information about making a donation to hospice, see the donations section of this web site.
For more information about hospice, call 800-728-1862.
This article first appeared in the Winter 2004-2005 edition of The Caring Connection, VNA Care Network's community
newsletter.