Choosing What Matters Most in Life

BY RIVERSTONE HEALTH

Guitar music and favorite songs filled the air on a July afternoon when all seven of Peter Lombardozzi’s children and Suzanne, his wife of 70 years, gathered to be with him. Peter was in bed right next to a big, open window at RiverStone Health Hospice Home. A few family members were in his room, a dozen more were camped just outside. After a beautiful sunset that night, Peter Lombardozzi passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family .

“His big wish always was he didn’t want a funeral; he wanted a big party to celebrate his life. It was emotional, but wonderful,” Peter’s daughter, Lisa Miller, recalled recently.

Peter led a full life centered on his family, but his health had deteriorated. He was in a Billings hospital when doctors determined that his condition was terminal. Lisa recalled doctors explaining that the hospital probably wasn’t the best place for him.

Peter had planned ahead, designating Lisa to be his healthcare representative if he could no longer speak for himself. She knew about RiverStone Health Hospice Home from a trusted friend who worked in senior services and from sister-in-law Kathy Lombardozzi, who is a longtime hospice volunteer.

“We made the decision as a family at a big family meeting,” Lisa said. Two of his children accompanied him when he was transferred across town to the Hospice Home on Mission Way. “We brought photos, favorite blankets, things to make it seem more like home,” Lisa said.

Peter lived for 10 days in the summer of 2021 at the Hospice Home where the length of stay varies from a few days to several weeks. Family members were with him constantly, sometimes sleeping on recliners in his room. Lisa is especially grateful to the hospice team for doing everything possible to accommodate her family’s wishes despite the COVID pandemic restrictions that were in place during the summer of 2021.

Family didn’t have to tend to his medical care, hygiene, hydration or changing linens. All those needs were met 24/7 by the professional hospice nursing staff in Billings’ only licensed and accredited Hospice Home facility. That meant the family could focus on spending time with their husband and father, telling stories, talking to him and holding his hand.

“It allowed us to do the more meaningful things,” Lisa said. “It really was nice, 10,000 times better than being in the hospital.”

The Hospice Home has 12 private patient rooms, a spacious living room, kitchen, sun room and patio garden. In addition to staffing with nurses, chaplains, social workers and other professionals, the Hospice Home is served by trained volunteers who tend the garden, run errands, assist family members or sit with a patient when family is unable to be present.

“Everyone there was amazing. Such great caretakers, gracious about listening to you and accommodating your requests whenever they can,” Lisa said.

For families facing end-of-life care decisions, she offered this advice: “Go visit the house. It’s very much like a house, not a hospital. I think just seeing it would put people at ease.”

If you have questions about hospice care in your home or in the RiverStone Health Hospice Home, please call us at 406-651-6500.