McNally House Is Like Going Home to Your Grandparents’ House
By Rosemary Addison
Jayne North’s three-year-old grandson knew exactly what to do when he came to visit Nana at McNally House Hospice.
After his family signed in, he searched in the big wicker basket until he found “his” little yellow slippers, just his size. Then he and his sisters dropped into the kitchen for homemade cookies or a popsicle before going to Nana’s lovely room. They were always greeted with a warm smile from the volunteers.
In Nana’s room, there were toys, and sometimes there was a Blue Jays game to watch. In special times, there was beautiful singing. Jayne’s six brothers would come and sing hymns, harmony so wonderful that another McNally resident thought there was a concert taking place. Sometimes people from their church would also come to sing, standing on the patio outside Jayne’s room.
Being admitted to McNally House gave Jayne and her family many gifts. No longer did the family need to be caregivers, nor be governed by the restrictions of a hospital. They could have the space to be a family, to share food, to sing, to pray.
Jayne’s husband, Bob, feels that had Jayne not come to McNally, they would not have had the extra months with her. Not only were her physical needs met, but also her emotional and spiritual needs as well. The caring and compassion that were given to Jayne and to her family were gifts that McNally provided.
Occasionally Jayne would go home for an afternoon, but always asked to come back to McNally. She felt safe and comfortable there. It had become “home”.
Jayne was a very private person, yet, had wonderful conversations with staff and volunteers. Neither she, nor her family, ever thought they were intruding or were an inconvenience. Everyone was embraced by love.
In speaking with others about the hospice experience, people often have the perception that one is giving up, that there is no hope. Jayne’s family are emphatic that this is the exact opposite. Hospice is filled with hope, filled with life.
In a book of devotional prayers that Jayne and her family read often, there is a prayer titled, “For one who lingers in a long dying”. Jayne’s family feels that McNally helped Jayne live longer, to be with her family, to hear the music she loved, to focus on the hope of new life that was so much a part of her faith.
They have some advice for people who are given the option of hospice care: “Don’t wait so long.” McNally House Hospice is a place of life, filled with compassion. No request is too great. All residents live out the end of their earthly journey with respect and dignity.
After Jayne died, her little grandson was gifted the little yellow slippers, forever his, from the place that was like going home to your grandparents’ house, a place where his Nana, and his family, were, and always will be cherished.
Government funding covers only 44% of our operating costs. Each year, more than $1.8 million must be raised to ensure our hospice residents and programs remain available to our community.
This season of giving, your donation makes that possible.