Hospice of West Alabama served our family during my father-in-law's final illness, pneumonia secondary to end stage Alzheimer's disease. I cannot imagine more stellar care than he was given by the knowledgeable and compassionate staff and volunteers. However, HOWA didn't just care for the patient. They offered supportive care to our entire family --- preparing us for what was to come, walking us through the process, helping us to understand what my father-in-law was going through, helping us to deal with our grief in a healthy way. Since that time, we have referred numerous friends and family members to HOWA. Without fail the staff and volunteers at HOWA helped them and their families through the most difficult of times with the maximum understanding, compassion and professionalism. I give Hospice of West Alabama my highest recommendation.
HOWA has helped care for several of my close friends and families. Hospice orchestrated comfort and care to their loved ones that allowed the families to feel comfortable and peaceful during such a difficult time.
Hospice of West Alabama has a wonderful group of caregivers. My fathers last 7 days of his life were spent here two years ago. I pretty much stayed with him during this time. No one said anything to me about me sleeping on the side of his bed, even though they have excellent reclining chairs in the rooms, and when he passed I was allowed to lay with him for around 30 minutes before they had to start removing his medical appliances. When my husband and I were leaving one of the nurses walked with us up to the front. She proceeded to ask me if I wanted to go into the little chapel room and light the candle in his honor. We walked in, lit the candle (light bulb) and she asked if she could pray for us. This was one of many touching experiences our family had.
Our family did not want for anything while we were here. The volunteers that bring food daily were such a blessing because we did not have to leave to go find something to eat.
That's my wonderful father in the picture with me on my profile. He was 75 when he passed.
Do not use Hospice of West Alabama. If your family member goes in, they will be in excruciating pain and be gone within days. They do not care about their patients. The president or Dr.Miller, threatens his patients into believing this is the only hospice in Tuscaloosa, and if they tried to go with another hospice, he “couldn’t see them anymore”.. this should be illegal.
Melinda20 10/31/2018
ttown031, It is our goal to provide the best possible care for all of the patients we serve, and symptom control is a top priority. We are happy to discuss your concerns. If you would like to share your experience, please feel free to contact our office at 205-523-0101.
My grandmother's doctor did not give her a choice of hospice. He told her this was the only one. Her doctor then refused to give her pain medicine even though she was crying in pain. She was days away from passing and he refused her medication because it would cause her to become groggy. The nurse finally got fed up with the doctor after a day of my grandmother crying in pain and called the medical director who prescribed pain medicine. I was beyond disappointed with the way my grandmother was treated and a bit disgusted with what she had to endure as her life ended. It was heartbreaking and her doctor seemed not to care. The nurses were very kind. We tried to contact the management at the hospice after my grandmother's passing to let them know how disappointed we were, however they failed to return phone calls or respond to the letter my family wrote.
Melinda20 10/31/2018
hope205, I am sorry to hear that you were disappointed with the care your grandmother received from Hospice of West Alabama. It is always our goal to provide the best service possible. Hospice care is based on a team approach, which includes the patient's community physician. Some community physicians aren't as comfortable prescribing the medications that are needed to manage symptoms at end of life. Unfortunately, sometimes this causes a delay in the treatment process. As for not responding to your calls and letter, our Executive Director takes complaints very seriously and would like to speak with you directly about your concerns. Please contact our office at 205-523-0101 and ask for Latrelle. If she isn't available you can leave her a voicemail and reference this message. Thank you for sharing your concerns. It is very important for us to know where our weaknesses are in order for us to continue to improve.
I have visited hospice patients for about 3 years and have admired the entire staff from the sweet lady who cleans, the caring nurses, the volunteer coordinator right up to the director. The facility is top notch but can't compare with the staff inside. They are the most dedicated group of individuals I have been associated with.
Every single person at HOWA, including volunteers, are true angels and extemely dedicated people. Just calling them "professionals" is not good enough to truly describe them. They walk every single step with you at one of the hardest time of any body's life with such caring and comforting manner.
Hospice provided care to my father-in-law as an outpatient and to my mother-in-law as an inpatient. With both experiences our family received outstanding care.
Hospice of West Alabama is a great community partner and works to enhance the lives of the patients and their families. They are the perfect balance of medicine and ministry. They took care of my mom in the last phase of Alzheimer's. They were able to give her medications and keep her calm when she was no longer able to swallow pills. They provided grief counseling to our family as we learned to live without her. Now, They care for my dad who is literally dying from a broken heart. They give us the support we need, as well as joy each time they visit. Our family would not have the peace in the dying process without their team. We love them and can't imagine life without Hospice of West Alabama!
This agency cared for two of my grandparents, and two of my aunts. Every staff member and volunteer approached the care with love, patience, compassion, and competency. Tuscaloosa is so fortunate to have this group of people to serve families in their home settings but also in the inpatient facility. I highly recommend Hospice of West Alabama.
When my grandmother was diagnosed with aggressive cancer, she immediately knew she was going to choose to spend her remaining days with the wonderful people at HOWA after working with them through Women of the Moose (Lodge).
They were amazing to not only her, making sure she was as comfortable as possible, but also took fantastic care of my grandfather that was having a difficult time. They also helped me and my entire family through the entire process. I am so touched by the great care HOWA gives to all people that comes in contact with them.
Compassionate, professional, trusted caregivers, from the aides to the chaplains to the social workers to the nurses to the physicians - all excellent and dedicated to their calling.
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My mother was at this facility in her final days. While it was such a hard time for my family, the entire staff was so caring, helpful, and loving.
The perception was far from the reality. The hospice 'visits" were little more than that - take temp, blood pressure, and make small talk with family. My parent suffered and they did nothing to offer relief. I regret their involvement. They took an already heart-breaking situation for my family and made it worse.
Melinda20 10/14/2014
dcsav, I apologize that your experience with Hospice of West Alabama was unsatisfactory. It would be extremely beneficial for our agency, patients, & families if we knew more about your particular experience. Please contact our office at 205-523-0101 or online at www.hospiceofwestalabama.com to discuss your concerns. It is our goal to provide the best possible care, and we hope that you will share more details with us so that we may improve our quality of care.
Hospice of West Alabama is such a blessing to anyone that comes there. Be it for your love one, or a friend. These men an women are truly Angels to all. They have hot meals for all to share, cold or hot drinks. They go above all expectation! I have never felt so loved and well cared for. Thank you for all you do! Dona Faye Amerson
It is such a joy to be part of the HOWA family as a Chaplain. We consider it a privilege and an honor to serve our patients and their families, and each day is filled with blessings. The staff is dedicated, professional, and compassionate, and that is reflected in the excellent care we bring to the community. The love and care the staff provides for each other creates one of the best working environments I have ever experienced. Thank you, HOWA and West Alabama!
Hospice of West Alabama provides professional, compassionate, and ethical care to patient's in their final months of life. I know because not only am I honored to be a part of the team providing care, I am also a family member whose loved ones have received care. My father was a patient for several months prior to his passing from kidney cancer. He eventually came into the inpatient facility and passed after several days of around the clock care. As a nurse it was a great relief for me personally to be able to spend my dad's last days with him as his loving daughter instead of as his nurse. My sister-in-law had a very different experience. She came from the hospital to the inpatient facility as she ended her fight with a brain tumor. My family was so grateful that there was a place she go go in her last days that provided comfort, peace and respect for someone who had fought so valiantly up until her final days. Hospice of West Alabama was there for me and my family!
My dad was suffering from bone cancer in 1992 when we were referred to Hospice of West Alabama. We didn't have them long but the time we had made a huge difference in our lives. It gave us a peace like no other. It changed my life and when I became a nurse I knew I wanted to serve this organization and its clients. My time working with Hospice of West Alabama has changed me as a nurse, as a person, and as a caregiver. It has forever changed me and I wouldn't give anything for that. Each person, volunteer, doctor, family member, patient that I have encountered has made me who I am.
My sister is a RN with Hospice of West Alabama and she is absolutely amazing. She has expressed to me that her patients and their families mean so much to her. I have to say that she definitely has a servant's heart. Knowing that she is sacrificing time with her husband and children to serve others makes my heart so full and I just couldn't be more proud of her. Hospice cared for our dad over 20 years ago when he was dealing with bone cancer and it touched my sister so much that she knew this was the area of nursing she wanted to serve in. I pray that her patients and their families know what a beautiful person they are encountering when they meet her. God Bless Hospice of West Alabama :)
Hospice of West Alabama is a wonderful organization. The staff work hard everyday to provide the best care possible to our patients and their families. I am blessed beyond measure to be able to work for a wonderful organization.
Hospice of West Alabama has taken care of several members of our family and made their final days on earth so much better. We can say the staff and volunteers are truly angels on earth!
From the time my Great Grandmother was transported to HOWA for her final precious days with me, I knew she would be taken care of. The care she received from the nurses absolutely exceeded my expectations! All of the nurses and staff are absolutely wonderful and take pride in the care they give.--The Director of HOWA, is the most sweet-spirited person, and takes pride in the position she holds! When my sweet grandmother passed, many nurses hugged my neck and cried with me. And that means so, so much and I could never thank them enough. Thank you HOWA for providing exceptional care to our community AND for taking the best care of my Mama Hartley!
My sweet, younger sister, with special needs was dying. We were in a nursing home that for reasons that are past, was not a good situation. God blessed us with Hospice of West Alabama. When they were able to move us to their facility, walking in the door, I finally felt peace. The staff made it possible for my family to say goodbye in a loving, peaceful manner. There isn't enough words to say thank you to all of HOWA staff. The level of love and compassion is amazing. Truely blessed for having met all of the staff.
Hospice of West Alabama was here for my uncle and my faculty before he passed away last December. They have the most gentle loving staff. Their Chaplin spent so much time with my uncle. They became best friend. I have been lost without their help and support. I thank God for them.
The staff at HOWA went above and beyond to help my mom and my family during her last days of life. My grandfather in law received exceptional care for several months preceding his death and loved all the nurses, chaplains and caregivers! They really helped him enjoy a much better quality of life during those last few months. I have recommended their services to several friends who have also had positive experiences with their family members!
As a nurse, I applaud their professionalism and dedication to those they serve. HOWA is an excellent resource for this community!
Hospice of West Alabama is the best! The staff are all amazing, caring, and extremely good at what they do. I know this first hand because I am blessed to work with each of them every day. Not everyone can say they love their job, but I can, and it is so much more than just a job. Each member of this team is dedicated to what they do and it shows in the care they provide. I’m extremely grateful to be a part of the HOWA family!