Ian Anderson House
Testimonials
I am writing on behalf of my mother, who recently lost her husband, Al, to cancer. She wanted me to tell you a few things she felt about Anderson House.
My family could not have found a more perfect spot for my father to spend his last three weeks. As he got too ill and weak to stand or even sit up by himself, he entered the hospital. Al needed a lot of rest but the hospital was noisy, and since he shared a room with someone, it was too busy with other families coming in and out. On one occasion, it took hours to get a doctor to come to his aid, since his regular doctor could not be reached.
The Ian Anderson House was a joy. Rarely does a family feel more upset, frustrated, and alone when a family member is terminally ill. Your staff and volunteers, each and every one, was helpful and caring, quick to respond to problems, and offer advice and even a hug or two. The staff came about every four hours to move Al’s position since he was sore from lying in one spot. The hospital did and could not give such care.
The staff...worked as a team, to support my family. My mother and my sister were made to feel comfortable there, even staying overnight. Margaret Anderson showed such concern and spoke reassuringly to my mother more than once. Anderson House is homey, cheery, and spotless. Surely the provincial funding agencies should hear these things, and know that saving money should be just one of the issues of palliative care.
In closing, as my family tries to carry on and slowly recover from our loss, I do not know how the family would have made it through this sad time without your help.
Dear Tina, Anita, Janice, Dorothy, Krista, Avril, Cathy, Maureen, Dru, Lulul and anyone whose name I’ve forgotten:
Thank you all so much for the wonderful way you attended my father. You made an unbearable situation bearable, and gave Dad the gift of your compassion and gentleness. You allowed him to keep his dignity and that was so important to him. You kept him safe for as long as God allowed.
What I didn’t expect was the wonderful way you treated us, his family. You allowed us to help him in a way we could not have imagined. I’ve never been involved in someone’s dying process the way I was with Dad’s, and you all lent me your strength and courage to do what little I did. You know, I talked more to him in those last four days than I ever had in my life before. I guess it was because he couldn’t talk back but I told him things I didn’t even know were inside me. That was your gift to me, to let me hold his hand and try to comfort him. I thank you most sincerely, and will never forget it.
You are very special and truly good people. God bless you all.
To the staff and volunteers at the Ian Anderson House. We know the next best place to home, and that is the Ian Anderson House. It’s such a wonderful place because of all of you.
Thank you all for caring for my husband and giving him such kindness, even when the days were hard for him.
You are all wonderful people and you provide such selfless services. I.A.H is so fortunate to have you, as were we.
