Agape Hospice - Calgary

Wonderful staff - treating people with utmost respect and dignity.

Kind caring people. Excellent facility.

Nothing on this earth could compare to the experience my mom had there is the end of her life. If any staff read this, know you touched so many lives and made our final days together absolutely magical. Id like to be on your waiting list,,,, just not too soon- thanks again

Our mother was diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma, a blood disorder, and SVC Syndrome. She was given a few short months to live. We met with a Palliative Care team who informed us about potential hospice's. Though this hospice was a 45 min drive, we are so beyond blessed to have had the phenomenal care our mom received at her time there. The staff in it's entirety were/are nothing but exceptional, the care was outstanding, we've formed life long friendships, and every dept was an open book willing to help in any way possible. Upon first arriving, we had hesitations because esthetically the hospice was not what we expected. Then coming daily we found more beautiful things then we ever thought we would. From outdoor sitting areas overlooking gardens, to the views from the windows. Stunning. HUGE Shout-out to ( and I apologize if I missed anyone ) Kim R - Nurse Lucy - Nurse Matt - Nurse Kim - Nurse Kenny - Nurse MaryAnn -. Nurse Britta - Nurse Sandra - Nurse Ana - Nurse Ana Marie - Nurse Astrid - Nurse Nav - RA Susanna - RA Yuki - RA Damian - RA DJ - RA Eddie - RA Norman - RA Jocelyn - RA Kiki - RA Robin - RA Sarah - Nurse Lead Lilian - Housekeeping Kayla - Unit Clerk Donna - Unit Clerk Judy - jack of all trades lol Shisuko ( I likely misspelled this ) - Social worker Harold - Chaplain Dr. L - Physician Along with countless volunteers! The day before our Mom passed, the Nurse and RA were checking in on us constantly, reassuring us that they will make her comfortable, and providing exceptional care. Always telling our Mom what they were doing and why as well as answering the many questions we had. ? During the night into the early morning of the day our Mom passed, the night Nurse and RA were in the room every 20 minutes like clockwork checking on her, keeping her comfortable ( position changes and meds ), reassuring her that we are there, and constantly saying that if we need anything to just let them know. Shortly after our Mom passed, it was shift change. The day Nurse and RA were so gentle while washing her up and again asking if we need anything. We cannot say thank you enough. ?

I have a sad experience to share about the Agape Hospice. I'll begin by letting you know I have autism, I'm an adult who feels things very deeply and relies on sensitivity to navigate the world. My mother was diagnosed with Lung Cancer and deteriorated rapidly, the process began in Feb 2020 just days before Covid changed us all forever. We have a tiny, single parent family with no other support. My mother relied on me to navigate her medical needs as our system began failing. We picked Agape together, it was a sad moment that will play in my head till my own death. We liked the gardens and I talked with staff who reassured her comfort and our ability to share her last days which were apparent. Upon her intake, Agape informed us how things would really be, leveraging off government changes and our emotions. We were panicked when we learned we would not have a proper goodbye, we felt extremely manipulated. In desperation we asked Agape to help us move our mother to her home where we would say goodbye. This was my mothers wishes and Agape supported the initiative. I worked for 2 days and nights to build an environment we could care for my mom till her passing, this included buying and setting up a medical bed. I was exhausted but the thought of sharing love kept me going. I returned to the Agape to let mom know everything was ready, I could only imagine her smile as I went towards her room. An Agape nurse ran after me as I went to her, it felt wrong. As she caught up with me then saw my mother, I knew immediately she was almost dead. I immediately broke down crying on her body, she whispered and pet my head saying "it's okay baby". They nurse scolded me, implying my crying and emotions were putting her personal safety at risk. She perceived my grief as some form of confrontation, informing me to stop or be removed. My heart felt paralyzed as I tried to figure out what to do. I forced myself to stop crying and asked the nurse to leave. My mother informed me she still wanted to be home where she could pass away, no matter how short her time was. My mothers rapid decline occurred over 2 days. She was sick and frail when we moved her to Agape, but still animated, eating, drinking, full of desire to spend some time with her daughters. Agape increased her morphine to the extent my mother was not able to drink water. Because she was so frail she transitioned to death in 48 hours. When a body reaches this point while fighting an illness there is no return. We moved our mother upon her last request and shared approximately half a day. The Agape lashed out in an attempt to punish us for the decision, it felt money may have been a motive? We are very grateful we took control of the situation, it was not as scary as one might think, death that is. It's been over a year and there's no mom, I still have autism and it's scary; autism keeps some in a holding pattern youth. I have agonizing episodes of grief, remembering how we were treated during my moms departure. Our perception of Agape is that they provided a form of assisted suicide, masking it as medical care. I'm not sure how I will ever come to terms with my mothers death? I not only grieve but I am now scared of our medical system and all the processes, I have no trust. There has been no apology or acknowledgement of the poor care or ethics. Our mother died during a horrible time for all people, but this does not qualify the situation. The best I can do is caution people of the Agape through our experience, they didn't handle themselves well under duress.

My husband went to Agape with terminal colorectal cancer. He had the best care possible at the end of his life. He was loved deeply by the staff, they went above and beyond in the care of my husband. Baths when he wanted them etc. Caring for family as if we were thier own. Thank you so much for your compassion.

Lovely establishment treating people with dignity and respect

Words cannot express how grateful we are to the staff at Agape. They were so incredible with my father. The patience, love, care and support he received there was amazing. I don't know how we would have handled the end of his illness without the staff there. Thank you so much to Dr. Bach, Mary Anne, DJ, Eddie, Norman, just to name a few of the stars that work there.