A HOSPICE STORY - Jo Hilliard & Jerry Hoff

CHAPTER ONE
THE ONES WE LOVE

Bob and Jo Hilliard

Jo Hilliard's experience with Hospice of North Central Ohio started on April 25, 2008. Jo had already been caring for Bob due to his dementia, and when it was discovered that Bob had end-stage lung cancer, he was admitted to Hospice and brought to Hospice House from the hospital. "Bob was able to stay at Hospice House until I could get everything set up before I brought him home. It was so important to both of us that he be able to come home, and the staff at Hospice was so helpful with helping me get everyting I needed to take care of Bob," commented Jo.

Eventually, caring for all of Bob's physical needs started to take a physical and emotional toll on Jo. Deciding she needed a break from the caregiving, Jo asked if Bob could be moved back to Hospice House for respite care in late May. "I did not have to do any of the caregiving and I could just be his wife," Jo explained. "I didn't even have to leave Hospice House because of all of the wonderful ammenities they provide for families. At the end of his five days of respite care, the staff at Hospice thought it best that Bob stay in Hospice House to better manage his symptoms."

"All of the staff at Hospice House is so kind, loving, supportive, and considerate. When Bob was near the end, the nurse asked me if I would like to lay with Bob in his bed. After they moved him into a comfortable position, I crawled in bed with Bob, a place I hadn't been in a very long time," remembered Jo. "After 55 years of marriage, it was so comforting to be that close with him one last time."

Bob died at Hospice House on June 1. "I will be forever grateful to everyone at Hospice for everything they did to help Bob's passing be filled with dignity and peace for him and our whole family."

Janie and Jerry Hoff

Not long before Jo's husband was placed in hospice care, Jerry Hoff made the decision to call Hospice for his wife, Janie, who had been battling lung cancer for two years. Janie was admitted to Hospice on March 6, 2008. "For about 5 months, my Janie had really started to decline, so I retired from my job in January so I could take care of her at home," commented Jerry.

The doctors suggested he call Hospice to help keep his wife comfortable. "I am so glad and grateful that Hospice was there to help," Jerry explained. "Nurses came three to four times a week, the Hospice Aides helped my Janie with bathing and other needs, and all of the equipment we needed was provided...oxygen, bed, walker... and none of it cost us a dime," he continued.

Janie died on March 24 in the comfort of her own home. "Although we only had Hospice for two and a half weeks, their support made caring for my wife so much easier. And most important, my Janie was comfortable and able to die here at home. Without Hospice, I don't know if that would have been possible."


CHAPTER TWO
NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN

It was in August of 2008 that a beautiful friendship blossomed in the most unlikely of places. Having never met before and coping with the loss of their spouses, both Jo and Jerry decided they needed some additional support. They each chose to attend a six-week support group for widows and widowers offered by Hospice of North Central Ohio.

"I think all of us in the group went the first time thinking 'we'll see'," recalled Jo. "I tend to be a very private person when it comes to my feelings, but I felt so free and comfortable to let it all out in front of everyone else. I think we all continued to come back because the Hospice facilitators truly wanted to listen. We could open up on our own when we were ready."

"I felt a little awkward at first," admitted Jerry. "There were six people in our group, and I was the only man. I contemplated not returning after the first meeting, but I am so glad I chose to come back. The support group was so helpful, and our group became very close in such a short amount of time."

The group became so close that, even after the six-week support group ended, they still get together for dinner, remembrance, and laughter. "We are all so very different," continued Jo, "but we all really do love each other."

Martha Jorden, co-facilitator of the support group, recognized the special bond the group had. "To see this group today and how they continue to support each other is wonderful. Five of them had hospice experiences, one did not, but they all had something in common: the loss of a spouse. It shows that even though our personalities and experiences may be completely different, we can still find comfort and peace with people who have been through something similar."


CHAPTER 3
RECIPROCATING LOVE

Oftentimes, people who have experienced Hospice care want to return the love that was shown to them. One way they choose to do this is by becoming Hospice Volunteers. So is the case of Jo and Jerry.

"The Hospice volunteer who came to the house when Bob was sick was so kind and compassionate. He would sit with Bob for a couple of hours while I would take a nap or take time away from the situation. It was comforting to know someone was there while I took time to run errands or just be by myself," Joann described. "I thought volunteering for Hospice would be a great way to give back but wasn't sure if one-on-one contact with patients was for me."

Not long before the end of the six-week support group, someone had mentioned to Jo that Hospice was opening the thrift store, What Goes 'Round, in downtown Mansfield in September and that they were in need of volunteers. "So," exclaimed Jo, "I decided to give it a shot and boy am I ever glad I did!"

"Jo talked about the thrift store so much and kept nagging me to check it out that I finally gave in," laughed Jerry. "As soon as I saw the place, I was sold!" Jo and Jerry now both volunteer on Tuesday afternoons. Jo works in the retail part of the store while Jerry works in the Donation Center checking the small appliances to make sure they can be sold.

"What Goes "Round is a great addition to the Mansfield community," beamed Jo. "I encourage everyone to check it out or to consider becoming a volunteer there. It truly is my joy and passion."


CHAPTER FOUR
THE LEGACY OF GIVING

When people give to Hospice of North Central Ohio, it is most often because they want to remember and honor a loved one who has passed. Jo and Jerry thought purchasing bricks in the Memorial Walkway at Hospice House was the perfect way to pay tribute to Bob and Janie.

"Jerry and I talk about how, had it not been for our involvement with Hospice and the support group, we never would have become great buddies. I think Bob and Janie are smiling down on us and are glad that we have become such good friends," remarked Jo.

As if finishing Jo's thought, Jerry added, "It was only fitting that Bob and Janie's bricks be placed next to each other so that they can be buddies in heaven."


CHAPTER FIVE
FOR THE LOVE OF COMMUNITY

Family members often want to share their Hospice stories, and Jo Hilliard is no exception. Having been touched by Hospice and becoming a wonderful advocate, Jo hopes to accompany us on some of our speaking engagements.
"It's wonderful to hear from the Hospice staff about how they can help," commented Jo, "but hearing from someone who has been truly touched by Hospice can help people relate. I want to be able to tell my story because I am such a huge fan of Hospice of North Central Ohio."


NEW BEGINNINGS

When Jo Hilliard and Jerry Hoff reflect on the impact Hospice of North Central has had in their lives, they are astounded by where their journey brought them. "Had neither one of us gone through the hospice experience, we never would have met each other and become great buddies," commented Jerry.
Continued Jo, "I will always feel sad about losing Bob, but I am so blessed to still be part of Hospice and to have bonded with Jerry and everyone from our support group. They have all become my extended family."

To see Jo and Jerry sharing their story on WMFD TV's Senior LIving, click See Hospice Volunteers interviewed for Senior Living on WMFD TV in Mansfield.

  Read/See More...

  E-mail the Hospice Representative About This

HOSPICE THRIFT STORE CHANGES SATURDAY HOURS

The WHAT GOES 'ROUND Thrift Shoppe in downtown Mansfield's Carrousel District has changed its Saturday hours to 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Weekly hours remain Monday through Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Located at 113 N. Main Street, What Goes 'Round has an eclectic mix of new & used clothing, accessories, furniture, books, household goods, and much more!! Donations are also accepted during the above hours at our Collection Center, located at 119 North Main St. For more information, please call Cindy McConnell, Store Manager, at 419-522-2890!!

  E-mail the Hospice Representative About This