EDITOR – I write this letter to honour a very special group of people, the staff of Glen Haven Nursing Home.
I very sadly lost my mom last Tuesday evening. I have been looking after her for the last 16 years in my home with my husband and daughter , Rebecca. She was a much loved part of our family. We loved her, nursed her, and laughed and cried with her and lost my beloved dad with her. By August last year I had to make the very hard decision to put her into nursing care. By the grace of God alone, Glen Haven “happened”! Like the husband of one elderly lady told me – nobody wants to be in a place like this, but if it has to happen you cannot be in a better place.
One thing – money does not and cannot buy or guarantee compassion. I know that it is not easy caring for the elderly or the frail, because of all the years of caring for my mom, I know what I’m talking about! But not once did I see or experience the staff of Glen Haven getting irritable or impatient!
Sister Kerry, Sister Glen, Lindsey who cooks up a storm, and all your caring, competent and compassionate staff – you are angels from heaven! Ignatia and the staff on duty Tuesday night – thank you. You sat with my beloved mom. I asked Violet the night before to please make sure that my mom did not pass away alone and she did not.
On Tuesday morning I got to the home. There was a curtain around my mom’s bed. Nobody was expecting me. I peered over – both care givers had their backs to me, so they did not know that I was there. I witnessed a scene that I will never forget as long as I live. They were busy giving my mom (who had already slipped into a coma) a bed wash. The love, the care, the compassion, the dignity and the respect that they treated her with that morning, will stay with me forever.
Let us not forget that if God blesses us with a long life, we will all get there – to the place where money does not matter and all are equal in our human weakness.
Karin Coertze nee Jacobs – daughter of Frieda Dora Jacobs
Durban
