A newly furnished and redecorated room recently was completed to be used for private dinners and meetings between residents and family members.
Perhaps most importantly, it offers residents and family of terminal patients a chance to usher themselves into the last days of a loved one's life and to experience that time privately — and comfortably deal with the emotions and grief that accompany death.
"It gives them the privacy they need to reminisce," said Nancy Lander, a social worker in the unit. "Residents can talk about memories and feel comfortable walking down memory lane."
A result of generous donations from the community, the room is decorated with a touch of home. Wall clocks, a queen-sized handmade quilt, a couch, chairs and mirrors are among the items donated by local businesses and individuals.
"We had been trying to get this together for two years. We had the bed," said Lander. "Then Kathy Roberts came into our lives."
When Roberts' mother died just over a year ago in a long-term care center, she realized how important dignity and privacy can be to someone in the last phases of life.
After returning to town, she approached three friends about creating a privacy room in SPH's Long Term Care Unit — something that would be dedicated to residents' needs.
"There was a need in the community," Roberts said. "We just went from there."
They asked Lander whether there was a private place at the center for meals or gatherings and were told there was a room.
It was not well furnished, however, nor was it used often.
"There was absolutely no place that you could meet privately," Roberts said. "It's basically the situation of what long- term care is in the United States."
Since then, Roberts, Pat Wells, Rachel Slabaugh and Lorna Olson —talked to businesses and residents about their idea of furnishing a dedicated room for hospital residents.
The effort started slowly but gained strong support, Roberts said. More than two dozen individuals and businesses in the community eventually donated items, money or building materials, including carpeting, quilts and furniture.
Members of the Coast Guard donated time removing wallpaper, and Amso's Carpet & Interiors donated carpeting.
After hearing about the effort, a few artists from the community offered works of art, she said.
"It's really been unbelievable," Roberts said of the response from the community. "To me, it's not the amount that they've donated. It's the fact that they're willing to look at what they have and donate."
Those who donated not only took an interest, but they also often followed through and made sure their donations would fit the room's "touch," said Lander.
Lander is still looking for a few items like an end table, but the room is ready enough to be used — and has already proven to be a welcome addition.
In January, staff transferred a resident nearing the end of her life to the privacy room. She had appreciated companionship, liked having a roommate and was reluctant to be moved, Lander said.
After the move, however, hospital staff noticed that her family members began to visit the woman regularly.
Two days later she died. Her family later relayed their appreciation for having a chance to work through the final moments of her life in private.
Hospital staff will host an open house for the room from 3 to 6 p.m. Feb. 18. They encourage anyone interested to continue to donate items, possibly fresh flowers, books or compact disks.
Chris Eshleman can be reached at chris.eshleman@homernews.com.
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