Collaboration Between Three Agencies Makes Husband and Wife Visit Possible

When you’re 81-years-old, like Winston Gray, waiting patiently is something familiar.

“It’s been almost a year since I’ve seen Carol,” Winston said. “That’s way too long.”

Winston and Carol have been a couple for over 40 years, but health problems keep them apart. Because of specialized needs, they both receive separate care from two Omaha facilities—Via Christe Assisted Living and The Florence Home Skilled Nursing. The facilities are about five miles apart. Winston, who lives at Via Christe, receives hospice care from Prime Home Care and Compassionate Care Hospice. That’s when Lisa Dempsey, hospice volunteer coordinator with the agency learned of the situation.

“When I heard this couple had not seen each other, I knew we had to get them together for a visit,” Dempsey said. “Especially since Winston is on hospice. If his cancer follows its normal course, time can be short.”

Dempsey, along with Nate Jensen, lifestyle director at Via Christe and April Hauf, social worker at the Florence Home, all agreed getting the two together was a doable task. A lunch date was arranged with Winston taking the short trip, courtesy of the Via Christe van, to The Florence Home on N. 30th Street.

When Winston arrived and Carol saw him for the first time in many months, she enthusiastically announced, “That’s my husband!” And quickly added, “I love you, always did, you know that.” It was a touching moment.

“You can tell they still love each other,” Dempsey said. “They know who they are and what they mean to each other.” That was the goal of the collaboration between the three organizations. “We wanted to make sure Winston and Carol had the chance to express their feelings again in person,” Jensen said. “And to steal a kiss!”

Will there be future visits? “Of course,” Dempsey said. “Winston is already talking about Carol coming to visit him at Via Christe.”

And then Winston can announce, “This is my wife!”

Lisa Dempsey is the Hospice Volunteer Coordinator for Prime Home Care LLC and Compassionate Care Hospice.