It Started with One Call: How Hospice Helped a Family Find Peace

Supporting families from the first call, and beyond.

When Stan Heil’s health declined, his daughter didn’t know where to turn. One call to Hosparus Health changed everything.

Stan Heil was a dedicated worker and a pillar of his community. He spent his life working at USPS, volunteering locally at places like the ballpark in Germantown, and being an involved family member with his children and grandchildren. Despite being a smoker, Stan remained relatively healthy into his 80s. However, the years of hard work eventually caught up with him, leading to joint pain, reduced mobility, and frequent falls.

After several hospital visits, his family noticed a sharp decline in his condition. “At that time, they were treating him for hospital psychosis,” said his daughter, Lisa Desmond. “When he came home, he needed a walker because of the pain in his hip and knees.”

It wasn’t until he started having breathing issues and needed a nebulizer that someone in the family suggested calling palliative care for help. The Hosparus Health team quickly assessed his needs and recommended transitioning to hospice care—a suggestion Lisa initially resisted.

“I thought hospice care was for people who were terminally ill with something like cancer,” Lisa admitted. “My daddy didn’t have an illness like that; he was just in bad health.”
Still, after discussing it with her siblings, Lisa made the call to Hosparus Health.

Help Arrived That Same Night

Lisa spoke with a team member about her father’s symptoms, oxygen levels, and recent hospital trips. “I couldn’t believe how fast and helpful everything was from that point on,” she said. “Someone came out THAT NIGHT to evaluate him. They immediately scheduled follow-up appointments and ordered medication and oxygen.”

All it took was one phone call.

Compassionate Care from a Dedicated Team

One nurse, Betsy, stood out to Lisa. “She was one of the first nurses to visit us, and she treated my dad like nothing was wrong, teasing and joking with him. She was fabulous,” Lisa recalled.

The Hosparus nurses helped Lisa with medication and symptom management. They wrote clear instructions for Lisa, and brought the family the medical supplies needed to care for their father at home. Stan was able to spend his final days comfortably in the home he shared with his wife where they raised their children, surrounded by love. He passed peacefully just a week later.

Lisa was thankful to be there as he took his last breath and to have Hosparus guiding her through the flurry of events that followed.

Support After Loss

Lisa didn’t have to use the emergency comfort pack offered, and Betsy was the one to come retrieve it in the following days.

“She was amazing,” Lisa said. “She sat on the porch with me for a long time, listening to Daddy’s stories, letting me cry, and just being there to make sure I was okay. I’m so thankful for that time, for someone who truly listened to my grief.”

When asked what helped her most she received during the process, Lisa replied, “The fact that I knew I was in good hands, that they were there if I needed them, and they made it so easy. It wasn’t overpowering advice; they were so polite but took control of the situation and handled everything, which allowed me to just be a daughter.” She added, “I’ve never experienced death as a caregiver, but they made me confident in what to do. From the nurse who came out at 9 p.m. in the pouring rain to the support they gave by calling the funeral home afterward, they gave me direction and peace of mind.”

Grief Counseling and Healing

A few weeks after her father’s death, Lisa decided to try Hosparus Health’s free grief counseling services.

“I kept thinking, ‘I’m okay, I’m okay,’ …and realized I should probably try it at least once. I’m so glad I did,” she said. She began meeting one-on-one with grief counselor Lynn. “Sometimes we laugh, sometimes I cry. She has introduced me to meditation, and I’ve also done the Art for the Heart grief programs.”

Lisa didn’t think she’d enjoy group sessions, but they turned out to be a source of strength. “It helped me understand my loss and that I’m not alone in grief. Others are grieving too.”

She now finds comfort in setting time aside for herself and her mental health—something that has been especially valuable in the midst of everyday responsibilities.

Lisa’s Advice: If You’re Thinking About It—Call

Her message to others considering palliative or hospice care: “If it crosses your mind, just call. Even if you’re not sure you need it, they’ll help you figure that out. You’ll probably regret it if you don’t.”

If you or someone you love is living with serious illness or declining health, call Hosparus Health today.
Our compassionate care teams are available 24/7 to answer your questions and help you determine if palliative or hospice services are right for your family.