Losing someone can be a traumatic experience, but it can also be a moment of care and celebration.
Recently, the staff in Mercy’s residential aged care services have been celebrated by loved ones and families, after extraordinary care.
In late 2023, Jan was in miraculous remission from Stage 4 non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Devastatingly, she was soon diagnosed with a brain tumour. Jan called upon her younger sister, Margot, who resides in Western Australia, to be at her side in her last weeks of life.
Margot desperately needed to find Jan end-of-life care after her terminal diagnosis. She sought the help of emergency respite services at Mercy Place Fernhill, in the Victorian bayside suburb of Sandringham.
“Walking in Fernhill was a celestial experience. I loved the warm, light-filled, friendly atmosphere, beautiful facilities and smiles from patients and staff,” says Margot.
Margot was by her older sister’s side every day in the last days and weeks of Jan’s life. They shared childhood memories, cried, laughed and played games.
Jan and Margot with family
Jan had a second storey, private room with a view of Port Phillip Bay. Mercy Place staff treated Jan with compassion and respect and treated her with dignity as her health deteriorated. They reestablished their loving, sisterly bond after many years living far apart.
Christmas Day was a magical experience where staff surprised Jan and her fellow residents with a gift bag from ‘Santa’ from a generous Mercy Health Foundation donor.
Former Service Manager at Mercy Place Fernhill, Chirag Patel, says it was a joy to know Jan and was pleased she received compassionate end-of-life care.
“We are grateful to serve residents and families with love, respect and compassion from the moment they walk in our home to the last moments of their life,” says Chirag.
Margot could not speak more highly of the staff at Mercy Place Fernhill. And says it was a privilege to be given the chance to support Jan, spend quality time and shower her with love at the end of her sister’s life.
You can support compassionate end-of-life care for more people like Jan, by donating to Mercy Health Foundation. Donate today.