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Serenity House Provides Care, Comfort and Peace for Residents With Terminal Illnesses and Their Families
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Most of us go to work each day and turn out a widget, help someone buy a widget, or fix that widget when it brakes. We might read a book about finding our life's purpose, but likely remain trapped on our treadmill, unwilling or unable to take a chance at discovering a calling that truly benefits others.
At Serenity House in Victor - a non-profit, non-denominational comfort care home for those in the final three months of a terminal illness - the staff, medical professionals, and volunteers know what it's like to make a difference every day. They make life better for families of those they care for, and provide a peaceful, dignified death to their residents, attending to physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Residents come from Monroe, Ontario, Wayne and other surrounding counties.
"Being here helps me, day by day, learn to live until I die," says Director Josie Levy. "Our time here is limited. I drive to work each morning knowing that I will make a difference in someone's life. We are born to serve and show compassion. It takes courage to be true to oneself, and Serenity House has allowed me to become who I was intended to be."
The two-bed home offers compassionate care on a round-the-clock basis, supported by donations of time and money from volunteers and benefactors. In April, it celebrated six years in existence, having served over 138 residents in this time. Serenity House serves as an alternative to in-home care, hospitals, nursing homes, with a home-like setting where compassion and care abound. Along with controlling pain, Serenity House strives to help residents and their families come to terms with the often overwhelming emotional issues associated with death.
"People ask me every day, 'how can you do this?,'" says Serenity House Manager Lorraine Mehlenbacher. "I say to them, 'how can I not?' Here a person can live out their final weeks or days without ever fearing that they'll be alone or without assistance."
"At Serenity House, the burden of care is lifted from the relatives or caregivers," notes Wendy Salmon, Volunteer Coordinator. "We encourage our residents and their families to spend time healing and revitalizing their relationships through love, forgiveness, celebration and grief. People really do laugh, cry and remember."
"We've seen baby showers, pajama parties, German Christmas parties, a bridal party arrive in a limo to visit Grandma just a few days before she died, family picnics… the list really goes on," Mehlenbacher says.
One of the most memorable visits involved resident Pat Stevens. Stevens came to Serenity House in February, 2005. She stayed just 10 days, but left a lasting impression. Shortly before arriving, she sold her horse, Moaning Myrtle, to the Rochester Police Department's Mounted Patrol division, being no longer able to care for the animal.
"A few days after her admittance, Josie got a call from the Mounted Patrol, asking if they could bring the horse out to visit Pat," says Mehlenbacher. "They thought it would be good for Pat to see that her horse was being well cared for. On a very cold morning, we bundled Pat up and wheeled her out to the parking lot. She refused to wear gloves, because she wanted to feel Myrtle while she whispered a farewell to the horse she loved. The horse came over and licked her hand and nuzzled her face. It was a beautiful moment."
The staff took photos, which they developed and displayed in Stevens' room. She died a few days later, knowing that Myrtle was doing well and serving a good cause. The Mounted Patrol also brought Myrtle to Stevens' funeral, letting the horse stand guard outside during the service.
This story is just one example of how the people of Serenity House make a difference by dedicating themselves to caring and serving others. Serenity House is always looking for volunteers to help their residents live out their final days with dignity. It's a gift of time and compassion that's appreciated and rewarding. Financial contributions to this non-profit organization are also needed. To learn more Serenity and/or volunteering opportunities, please contact Wendy Salmon, Volunteer Coordinator; or Lorraine Mehlenbacher, Manager at 585.924,5840.
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