Hospice Gives the Gift of Quality Family Time

Glen Receiving the Silver Helmet as AMVET of the Year in 2010.
Glen volunteering ringing bells for the Salvation Army while in the care of Hospice.

Glen’s Story

Glen Maurer loved to spend time in the company of others, especially his family. A smile would undoubtedly creep onto Glen’s face anytime he had a visitor, whether it was a chaplain, nurse, friend or family.

Lee was Glen’s certified nurse assistant (CNA) and someone he looked forward to seeing as his cares took place a few times a week. They would share a cup of coffee and conversation together as well as completing his personal cares. He looked forward to his Hospice visits.

Volunteering was Glen’s passion. As a veteran himself, he especially enjoyed volunteering in organizations focused on the service and support of veterans. In 2010, he was honored at a banquet in Washington DC and awarded the Silver Helmet Award as the AMVET of the year. Through the end of his journey with dementia, Glen was able to continue living his passion and volunteered with his daughter, ringing bells for the Salvation Army.

During the last years of his life, home for Glen was the Ecumen facility in Detroit Lakes, living for a time at The Madison and then The Cottage. It was important to Glen and his family that he remain there, where he had developed great friendships with the other residents and staff.

“It allowed me to interact with him as his daughter again and not as his caregiver.”

– Twila Aslesen, Daughter of HRRV Patient

A Message From Twila,

Glen’s Daughter

The time Hospice of the Red River Valley was able to give our family with my dad was a real blessing. I was able to interact with him as his daughter again and not as his caregiver.

They guided us through Dad’s journey; they helped prepare us and kept us informed each step of the way. Dad loved to have visitors and the time Hospice staff spent with him made a true difference in his quality of life.

Dad and I both knew the staff at The Madison and The Cottage so well and had a great appreciation for them. They treated him like family and I knew he was in good hands. As the Hospice team joined us, it was great to see the two organizations working alongside each other so well. It was really wonderful for all of us.

You often think of hospice as someone struggling at the end of their life, but Hospice gave Dad dignity until the end of his life. We often hear about death with dignity, but Dad was able to live with dignity. He was able to continue volunteering and spending time with his family, his two favorite things, while in the care of Hospice. With the help of Hospice, Dad lived until he died.

The care that not only my dad received but that our family received from Hospice of the Red River Valley took the pressure off of our family so we could enjoy Dad’s last days. Since his passing they’ve continued to offer support through our time of grief.

– Twila Aslesen and Family

Family celebrating Glen’s 90th birthday.
Glen’s family in 1964.