Dear Sir,
Three and a half years ago, the Terrace became a big part of my life as my sister Sheila Elliott became a resident. We are most fortunate to have such a caring loving nursing home in our community.
Many jobs are being done 24/7 at the Terrace by incredible people. Whatever the job, the residents come first. This truly is The Resident’s Home.
The staff make it their business to get to know each person, their likes, dislikes and work really hard to make each person feel at home. Sheila had Alzheimer’s.
The staff and volunteers enriched Sheila life everyday. It didn’t matter how many times the same question was asked, Sheila was always treated with great respect as were all the residents. There were activities daily that Sheila was a part of. I sat in on some of the activities and to see the residents faces light up with recognition; then when the program was ended all was forgotten. It didn’t matter to the staff that it was forgotten because what matters are the moments that the residents were engaged.
I learned from Sheila is to live in the moment and value the moments.
Many people volunteer their time in many different ways. Their selflessness was such a gift to so many. Whether you played the piano, took people for bike or golf cart rides, just sitting and talking with a resident and many other things. The staff and volunteers became Sheila’s extended family. We were so blessed.
As Sheila’s condition changed there were tears shared with much laughter and caring.
Around Easter of 2015, I was told that Sheila was in the final stages of Alzheimer’s (everyone is different) and that really scared me. I didn’t want Sheila to die. Sheila would have been 91 years old on March 16, 2016. She had a good life, a life with ups and downs. Sheila had beautiful blue eyes that spoke volumes.
Sheila passed away on December 17, 2015. While in palliative care, I remember the charge nurse asked me if there was anything else the staff could do to help. I remember I said, “I couldn’t think of a better place to be surrounded by such caring loving people who had helped make Sheila’s end of life so sweet.”
Thank you for printing this letter and for being part of a caring community.
With Much Gratitude, Joan Munn
Joan Munn