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Family Takes Comfort in the Wonderful Care Provided to Their Father at the Rose Monahan Hospice Home and Gives Back in his Memory 

One of Edward Bergman’s fondest memories of his father William was pulling into the driveway of the family home and seeing his dad sitting in the garage with the door open, enjoying the sunshine and fresh air and watching the world pass by.

“He would offer us a chair to sit with him, and many times our conversations would turn to topics of his life. He would frequently tell us that he felt so blessed and thankful to have his wonderful family and friends,” shared Edward.

When end-stage cancer prevented William from remaining at home, the Rose Monahan Hospice Home gave him and his family a new, homelike place to continue enjoying special moments like this. William loved the view from his room overlooking the garden, and watching the swans glide across Coes Pond. Family and friends were always welcome to pull up a chair alongside him to talk.

The preceding weeks had been difficult ones for the Bergman family. William, at age 93, had just started showing signs of slowing down after a lifetime of putting family, friends, community, and country first. 

William married his high school sweetheart Ruth in 1949, and they had two sons, Edward and John, and daughter Mary. He served in the Korean War, and devoted his career to the City of Leominster as the Superintendent of Fire Alarms and Wire Inspector for 37 years. He was known for his random acts of kindness and amazing ability to fix almost anything. When his wife’s health began declining, he devoted years to caring for her at home before she passed. They were married for 70 years.

William called Edward one day last spring saying he needed to go to the emergency room. He was hospitalized, and, even though there had been no prior symptoms, received the devastating news that he had advanced prostate cancer.

The hospital arranged for VNA Care’s home health care team to provide nursing and other services so William’s wish to return home could be fulfilled. Edward said, “Every staff person who came into the house was equally as caring about my dad and his health as they were for me and my siblings as his support system.”

Over the coming weeks, William’s health declined, and he decided against further medical interventions. The family was familiar with hospice before they even began considering this option. His daughter Mary was a nurse and well acquainted with end-of-life care. Edward and his spouse Miguel completed a hospice volunteer training program where they learned about all the ways hospice promotes patients’ dignity and quality of life while supporting loved ones before and after their loss.

William transitioned seamlessly from VNA Care’s home health to hospice program. On the day of his hospice nurse’s first visit, William suddenly lost his ability to stand and support his own weight. Their nurse let them know about VNA Care’s Rose Monahan Hospice Home as an option for William’s care should they have any concerns about William remaining at home.

“I knew about the Rose Monahan Home by word of mouth. I’d always heard good things from other people who received hospice care there,” said Edward. They were thankful this was an option, and it soon became apparent that it was the best possible thing they could do for their dad and their family.

“Dad was always so happy there. That was a very comforting thing,” said Edward. He saw how well his dad connected with the residence’s staff and volunteers and that they, in turn, got to know William. It was also an enormous relief for the family knowing that expert care was available 24/7. William’s pain and symptoms were well managed, staff kept the family informed about his condition, and “we observed firsthand the outstanding care and attention the staff gave to his every need.”

During his two months at the Rose Monahan Hospice Home, William continued pursuing his favorite hobbies. He played guitar and sang. Anyone at the residence celebrating a birthday would get a special performance of Happy Birthday. He spread his love for cribbage by giving lessons, and played with his son John during his visits. He kept goodies stashed in his nightstand drawer, and no one could leave without some cookies, chips, or other snacks.

As William’s passing drew near, one of his children was always by his side. A chair in the room converted into a bed to make overnight stays easier, and volunteers and staff “made us feel really comfortable being there and made sure we were well cared for too.”

William passed peacefully at the home. The Bergmans were so appreciative of the care that they wanted to give back. They asked for donations to be made in their father’s memory in lieu of flowers. They also made a special gift to the Monahan Home in their Dad’s honor, and his name is now on a memorial plaque at the residence.

Edward said, “It was just such a comforting, wonderful experience the way they cared for Dad. They not only took care of his physical needs, but his spiritual and emotional needs as well. We couldn’t ask for a better place for him to be at that point in his life.”

He added, “We could never, ever have imagined how great every person we encountered in the whole organization would be not only to my Dad but to our entire family.”

Pictured: William Bergman