Caring House

Our mother spent her last few days with Caring House. The physical care she received was outstanding. It gave us such comfort to know she was in such loving and caring hands. The staff was also of great emotional support to us, her daughters. I cannot say enough about the excellent staff and volunteers at the Caring House. I feel forever in their debt.

My family and I are eternally grateful to this wonderful organization. They made my Mother's last few days of her life so much better than any other place could have done. They not only took care of my Mother, but also the whole family. They make you feel that they are your extended family. They truly care! There is no where in our area that does this type of service so well and I am beyond lucky to have found them. Their management, staff and volunteers are all highly skilled, professional, compassionate, and truly Amazing. I highly recommend placing your loved one into their capable & loving hands for 24/7 care. They bring comfort to the resident and also to the family.
Thank you Caring House!
Karen Albitz

CARING HOUSE

I have spent my whole adult life working at the airport for a pay check. Although I met many wonderful people and had many great experiences, I always felt like it was just a job. After 35 years I am finally retired and I have been searching for a career that would mean something to someone other than my creditors. Caring House has shown me how completely fulfilling it is to truly care for another person. The atmosphere in that home is so loving and so sincere it has completely changed my outlook on life.
Talking with patients, reliving their happy memories … this has become the purpose my life has been lacking.
When patients can no longer communicate, holding their hands making sure they are as physically comfortable as is humanly possible. Talking to them so they know they are NOT ALONE & they don’t need to fear anything ever again. Listening to their family members. Reassuring them that their loved ones comfort is important to us. Helping them come to terms with what is about to take place.

Every person at Caring House has a singular goal, to help the patient and their families transition in a pain free, dignified, a loving way. I am so grateful to the staff and patients for allowing me to realize that there are jobs, & there are callings.

Caring House is appropriately named, because anyone who comes to stay there at the end of life is lovingly cared for like a family member. The house is beautifully set up with private bedrooms, and the caregivers are top notch. It was the perfect setting for Pat M. who spent her last few weeks of life there since her family was not able to care for her in her home. She had a peaceful passing in a loving environment. Thank you, Caring House, for being an outstanding resource in our community for end-of-life care.

"Peace at the end of life" is the Caring House motto. It is a concept that is generally aspired to but frequently unavailable. Stories of families who were overwhelmed with unfamiliar caregiving and unavailable hospice care abound. As a physician in the South Bay since 1977 I have seen sad and even disturbing end of life scenarios. I personally had three family members in Hospice care in one year and am familiar with what Hospice can and cannot provide. As a volunteer at Caring House I am astonished that they are alone in Southern California as the only home for the dying. I am also astonished at the superb level of care and caring that they provide for the community. I support Caring House with my time and my money and hope that more families can find peace at the end of a loved one's life.

I have been a practicing physician for 25 years seeing patients in the hospital, office and nursing homes. As a volunteer at The Caring House, I feel honored to be part of the team. The Caring House is a home more than "a house". It is warm, inviting, clean and full of love. It gives residents and their support people a place to feel protected. The clinical care provided by caregivers is both outstanding and compassionate. Residents of The Caring House receive a level of attention that is not possible in hospitals and nursing facilities. The end of life can be both scary and overwhelming for all involved. The people of The Caring House "gets it".

This past June, my mother was on her last days with brain cancer.
After my sister and I took care of her for the previous seven weeks, it became impossible for us to continue with home care. Hospice nurse recommended Caring House. It was just the right place for our mother to spend her last days on earth. Caring House provided dignified and caring solution with individual room and calm setting. Our visits felt as she was at home with us, nothing like nursing home or hospital. She was there only for short time but passed away in piece. My family will always be thankful to Caring House.

I’ve been a volunteer for Caring House since it’s doors opened. I call CH ‘my happy place’. It is so warm and inviting. Residents and their families seem to be at ease the minute they walk through the door. CH really is a family. I believe that coming into this world is a beautiful thing, and feel that leaving should be as beautiful. CH is all about comfort for the residents (and for their families as well). They are loved and cared for as if they were our own. It is a true honor and privilege to be a part of this beautiful nonprofit.

I met Mildred Marx about 20 years ago and was deeply impressed with her vision for establishing a place like Caring House. Then I met Ed Long, founder and visionary. My husband Ray and I were early financial supporters. I had experienced the passing of my father in 1997 in an agonizing hospital setting. I had experienced the passing of my mother in 2004 in a completely different but doubly agonizing hospital setting. I knew I wanted to be involved with a movement that could change the way we leave this life we love. We continue to support financially and I have the additional joy of playing piano weekly for residents and staff. I see first hand each week the joy that staff and volunteers bring to one and all. It is my joy to be a volunteer there. Anne Destabelle

What an amazing group of caregivers. The dedication to end-of-life care is truly inspiring.
Piece and dignity is the focus for families at Caring House.

yourcaringhouse.org

I would like to share a review I wrote about Caring House a few years back. They so acutely impacted my family's experience as we navigated my mother to, and through, hospice care, and to this day, their work back then continues to bring me joy and peace knowing we had that opportunity of celebration, communion, and comfort. Caring House is a quintessential example of a non-profit done right, and their approach to end-of-life care should be emulated far and wide. Here is that review:

When it became clear that my mom needed more care than could be provided for her at home, we interviewed many different hospice care facilities in the South Bay. Caring House stood in a completely different category as compared to the other options available, because:

1) Caring House is 100% focused on end-of-life care, including hospice. So, the staff are all experts at dealing with (and relieving you from) all the stuff you're so worried about (physical care, nursing/caretaker coordination, nutrition), so that you have time to relax and spend this valuable time with your loved one.

2) We truly felt like family from the moment we walked into the Caring House. It was our final interview of the day, and my dad for the first time relaxed as he discussed scenarios with the staff. Sandra immediately set us at ease as she walked us through how things work and was incredibly patient with us as we asked SO many questions. The testimonial videos on their site are fiercely genuine and reflect exactly how we felt when we were there--they truly welcomed our entire family into their home.

3) The vast community of people at Caring House that contribute to your loved one's experience is almost overwhelming, in the most quiet and calming way possible. Beyond the pros and highly trained staff running the place, there is a constant flow of volunteers (community members, nurses, spiritual leaders) that come to hang out, help out, make cookies, do chores, talk to visitors, coordinate event--it's amazing.

4) In the year since my mom passed away, the Caring House hasn't forgotten us. They continue to reach out as we move through the grieving process, and we so value their love and support. They have a true calling, and we have benefited greatly from their commitment.

I wish and hope that every family facing a situation like ours have the opportunity to spend those last precious days and weeks at the Caring House. It was the best choice we made during a difficult time.

David Cuccia
Costa Mesa,CA

As a volunteer, every week I observe residents and families / friends achieve a better end-of-life experience. I am very proud to be involved with this nonprofit and do my part in fulfilling their mission.

I'm proud to volunteer for this unique care home. It brings peace, comfort and support to men and women in the last weeks of life. Trained caring staff works 24/7 and is strongly supported by volunteers.

The daughter of a recent Caring House resident wrote "I am eternally grateful to you for being there in our time of need. We had no idea where to go or who to turn to for our mom’s final days. Then as if by a miracle, your wonderful place fell into our laps."

The son and daughter-in-law of another resident shared "Please again offer our thanks and gratitude to everyone at Caring House. We could not have thought to ask for such loving and compassionate care for my mother’s last days. You truly have made an impact on our lives."

Together we're doing something wonderful for our community.