Elara Caring - Conroe

We are deeply unhappy with our experience involving Elara Caring Hospice and Vibrant Living during my grandmother’s final days. There were multiple issues throughout this process, but the part that hurt us the most was how visitation was handled at the exact moment it mattered most. My grandmother was in rehabilitation and unfortunately started declining very quickly. Because of circumstances outside our control, our family had to make an extremely painful decision about what to do next. The person who normally cared for her was in the hospital, and we were left trying to make the best choice we could in a situation we never wanted to be in. Transferring her from rehab to a care home for her last days was not what our family wanted, but at that time it felt like the only option we had. Before the transfer, the rehab center wanted us to meet with hospice. That is when we met with Kasie from Elara Caring Hospice. During that meeting, a very specific question was asked: were there any visitation restrictions? We were told no. I want to be very clear: that question was not small talk. My grandmother was declining fast, and I needed to know our family could be with her. I did not think it was right for her to pass alone, and I was trying to prevent that from happening. Less than 12 hours later, she began the death rattle. Our family immediately started making arrangements to get everyone together so she could be surrounded by the people who loved her, the way we were able to do when her husband passed eight years earlier. When I asked if her son could come and visit her at midnight, we were told no. Then I had to fight just to be allowed to stay myself so my grandmother would have someone with her. We were told we would not be able to be with her through the night as she passed. So family members came to say their last goodbyes sooner than they should have had to, because we thought we were going to be forced out and she would die without us. And during that time, while I was trying to focus on my grandmother and comfort her in her last moments, the owner of the home chose to argue with me in front of my grandmother as she was dying. I cannot describe how cruel and shocking that felt. No one should be arguing with a family member at the bedside of someone who is actively dying, especially not in front of the person who is dying. On top of that, the owner said our check “bounced.” The family member who handles the finances did not believe that was true. Whether it was a misunderstanding or not, bringing up something like that in that moment added stress and chaos to what was already one of the most painful nights of our lives. One family member was ultimately able to stay overnight, but what we witnessed does not match the reassurance we were given that it was “okay” and someone would be there. The caregiver, who was apparently working all day, was sleeping in the living room and only came in once during the night to check on her. If our family member had not been allowed to stay, my grandmother would have been alone except for that one brief time. That is exactly why I asked about visitation restrictions in the first place. I did not “randomly” ask that question. I asked because I knew she didn’t have long, and I was trying to make sure we could be with her. If we had been told the truth about visitation restrictions and overnight rules upfront, we would have made a different decision immediately. Instead, we were told there were no restrictions and then we were blocked when we were trying to bring her son to her bedside and when we were trying to be with her during her last hours. End-of-life care should be guided by honesty, compassion, and basic dignity. Our family did not experience that here. I am leaving this review so other families know to ask direct questions, get policies in writing, and do not assume you will be allowed to be with your loved one when it is time.

Elara was very helpful in such a painful time and process. The representative, Kasie Dykes was wonderful in explaining the process and providing support. Only recommendation is that initial nurse visit could be more productive if training for family would be completed.

Elara is a terrific resource for our families! They are always attentive, and compassionate. We’re grateful for their warm-hearted approach to ease pain and suffering. It’s refreshing in the senior living industry.