REGIONAL HOSPICE

My parent's physician was unaware of what actually takes place with Regional Hospice's at home and in patient services so didn't know the trauma my family would endure as a result of the referral. The internist was being brought lunches and knew the "image stories" but would never have suggested Regional had they known from the inside about the quality of services.

First and foremost what mattered was money and how much you have. We were lied to, maniupulated and ignored when calling to ask questions about decisions being made without our consent. Ultimately, it was not the patient or family that mattered but money they could take once they knew what you have. They preyed on vulnerabilities but would not answer questions about what they were doing or why.. The games that went on were appalling.

As a close friend of a man who was the Chaplain of a large Hospice in the West, I was aware of what Hospice should be and the comfort it should be providing to family members and patients. Our experience was the complete opposite. Our stress levels increased dramatically due to the nurses who came to the house and their personalities, attitudes and incompetence. How they could treat grieving people as they did was unconscionable. The social workers were in the wrong field. The administrators were complete phonies and only concerned with public relations, gettting more clients and IMAGE----ALWAYS THEIR IMAGE. I could go on about details but my message is do not believe all you see or hear about how great Regioanl Hospice is. My family is still tormented by the "help" we received and how badly we were manipulated and robbed of so many things. Honesty is vital. This entire experience, save for two lovely, compassionate nurses and three wonderful volunteers added nothing but heartache and anger to my relative's death. As if the losst wasn't bad enough---they made it worse. Hospice in name only.

For 25 years it has been my privilege to be with our Regional Hospice patients and loved ones on their final journey.
Each individual story, special and unique, is supported by our professional staff and trained volunteers.
Time and again, we hear, “Thank you. We should’ve come to Regional Hospice sooner.”
Come for a facility tour.
We look forward to being with you and your loved ones.

Regional Hospice is a beautiful and safe space for both the loved one and their family. They have created an environment that is uplifting in such a difficult time.

A wonderful organization that provides not just care for elderly but children too. I know as they cared for our son through his end of life. Truly a gem in region providing so much care with a wonderful and caring staff.

My wife Ann was a client (patient) of Greater Danbury Regional Hospice from February, 2017 until her passing in July, 2020.
During that time Ann was a resident of Maplewood at Stony Hill, an Assisted Living Community in Bethel, CT. I spent every day of the above time period with Ann and everything I describe I witnessed first hand.
The staff and the practices of Regional Hospice are truly 5 star. Their care, compassion, love and attention to details are exemplary. Either a Hospice volunteer or a Hospice staff member visited Ann daily and while with her, they also made sure that I was good.
Without any reservation, Regional Hospice is unparalleled in the loving care given to end of life patients.

This Hospice facility and its amazing staff has blessed so many families dealing with end of life issues. Their work with pediatric deaths and their families is truly inspiring. I have witnessed all the loving care they’ve provided to several of my friends who’ve passed away. The care for the spouses and others continues to this day. What an incredible facility!

My husband has slow ALS. He cannot walk, talk move for himself. My daughter researched hospice care facilities for us to use. I was not feeling that I wanted to go this route. but I did. I have used Regional Hospice at home for several months. The first time I needed help, I called the number and I was shocked at how quickly I received help. We are at home but I never really feel alone. The help, at any hour, is wonderful. The nurses are kind, understanding and patient. The medicines are carefully explained, no matter how many times I needed to ask. A patient, caring nurse arrives whenever I need help at home. The social worker has been very helpful, kind and patient as well. When ever I make a suggestion or request, it is treated with patience and respect.
This is probably the most difficult experience a caretaker can have. We are sad and angry about this situation, whether it goes on for a long time or it is sudden. Sometimes, nothing anyone does is enough. This did not happen for me with Regional Hospice. I highly recommend Regional Hospice at home.

The staff at Regional Hospice of Connecticut are amazing. Whether it be the social worker,nurse,or health aide, our family received the best care and support. I, as my husband’s caregiver, was aided by these wonderful people. It can be overwhelming when a family member has health issues that are difficult to manage alone. Hospice was there to help.

My father-in-law spent his last few days at Regional Hospice and he could not have had a better ending. His suite was beautiful and accommodating. Eight of us slept there the night before my father-in-law passed away with staff bringing extra blankets and pillows and another roll-away bed. The staff was incredibly caring, not just in terms of caring for my father-in-law, but also being truly caring for all of us. We were all deeply moved seeing my father-in-law "resting" beneath a clean sheet strewn with rose petals after his passing, and took great comfort that he and we had experienced a peaceful passing. I couldn't imagine a better hospice environment.

Hello.

The Regional Hospice is an outstanding example of unwavering and unconditional support during extraordinarily difficult circumstances.
I personally experienced their compassion and commitment while my wife Patti was a resident there for the last two months of her life.
In a word, the entire ordeal was dignified.

Thank you,

John G. Capilli

The Regional Hospice team supported my husband and me with comprehensive extraordinary care during the most difficult period of our lives. They did everything possible to take care of my husband and keep him comfortable. Their excellent care of my husband gave me the ability to focus on just being by his side as he died. This was an incredible gift to both of us. Prior to Regional Hospice, we were both overwhelmed and stressed. Once the hospice team started helping us we had the time and space to truly be together. Moving to the residence truly transformed our situation. The angels of Regional Hospice were a blessing to us both. I cannot thank them enough.

My mother passed away on 2/5/19, almost 1 year ago at Danbury Regional Hospice. It has taken me this long to finally express my feelings for this place. There were only 2 positive things that we experienced and they were a couple of the aides that worked there and 1 volunteer. My mother was there a total of 3 days. She had several different nurses "taking care" of her while she was there. One of them was very cold and impatient. My mother had fluid build up from a pleural effusion and had 2 tubes in her back constantly needing to be drained or she would start choking. This particular nurse knew my mother needed to have them drained and asked me if I knew how to do it. Me, her grieving, unskilled and scared daughter. I asked to have another nurse care for my mother at that point. The night before she died she asked us for soup. We were told the kitchen was closed and there were snacks only. My uncle and I had to run out to the closest diner to get it for her. All we heard about all day long was how wonderful the filet mignon was. I only wanted my mom to be able to have a sip of soup. The last day she was there we were told she was not nearly at the point where she was actively dying and would be able to push a button at night if she needed a nurse. She died that night while I was there. I have no idea what the heck happened. I could keep going but it would run on a long time. I am just comforted now to know she is out of pain. Maybe this is what hospice is supposed to be but I just cannot believe that.

I would not recommend Regional Hospice in-home services to anyone due to the nightmare my family's experience was. The nurses who came to our house did not treat us respectfully or like the grieving care givers we were. We even had medication mislabeled and not explained properly. The nurses and social worker were so unprofessional and rude that it was hard to believe they worked for a Hospice. One nurse could not condemn us more if she tried. She was so incredibly harsh that, at times, I had to leave the room when she was criticizing us for every little thing. After speaking with our patient's doctor, we were, in reality, doing more and showing more care, dedication and love than any family members the doctor had ever known. In-home Hospice from Regional caused us more stress than we were already experiencing. It should have been the opposite experience and we should have been relieved to have them there and supporting, on personal "power trips".
In-patient services were not about "quality of life" at all except the medication were given. I would not recommend in-patient treatment at the center for anyone unless they or a loved one has one or two days to live. It costs $550 per day and our simple requests (and those of the patient) were not honored. I was talked to very curtly and loudly and couldn't believe I was being spoken to by a Hospice administrator. Phone calls were not returned and it was clear money was the priority.

All of our family members found the Regional Hospice center very odd. Something is amiss here. The money seems to be going to the top heavy administration as the place is basically staffed by many, many volunteers. Do not be fooled by the glamour or the Architectural Digest magazines lying on tables. A Hospice is not about appearance or being a showcase. Our emotional and spiritual needs were ignored. Please consider other options. We are still haunted by using Regional's in-home and in-patient services and wish we could turn the clock back and do it all differently and be left with good memories of fine care and not the memories we are tormented by due to the employees we had here.