When Robert Crook and his wife Lesley came under Hospice Whanganui’s care, they were welcomed with open hearts. From the moment they arrived, every staff member made them feel genuinely seen and supported. “Nothing was ever too much trouble,” Lesley shared. “There was an abundance of love, care, and support from everyone.”
“The experience was overwhelmingly positive. From the moment we arrived, every staff member made us feel genuinely welcome. There was an abundance of love, care, and support from everyone, nothing was ever too much trouble. It was a very special time for us as a family.”
The whānau’s large extended family was also embraced, creating space for everyone to be part of Robert’s final chapter. One of the most meaningful aspects, Lesley said, was the way Hospice Whanganui cared for both of them as a unit. “The holistic approach provided by Hospice was deeply appreciated. I was pleasantly surprised by how well I was cared for, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.”
There were difficult moments too. When one family member became distressed at the reality of saying goodbye, Hospice staff stepped in with quiet reassurance and support. Afterwards, Lesley expressed deep gratitude that someone was there to help them all through such a confronting time.
The Crooks received care both at home and later at the Inpatient Unit. Although it wasn’t possible for Robert to remain at home at the end as they had hoped, the compassion and professionalism of the team made all the difference.
Reflecting on the journey, Lesley shared that clearer communication early on about Hospice’s no-cost care would have eased some worry. They hadn’t realised that Hospice Whanganui’s service is completely free for patients and their whānau – a message that, once understood, brought great relief.
Despite the challenges, Lesley describes their Hospice experience as “absolutely amazing; far better than any other care experience we had.” The family continues to find comfort through ongoing bereavement support visits, which she says have been an important part of their healing.