Patient Stories

Family Finds Peace at the Kaplan House

Bruce Talbot was getting ready to step out of his home of more than 50 years, knowing it would be for the last time. He and his wife Lynda had raised their two daughters in this house. Now, before heading to a waiting ambulance, he took one last walk through the home in Danvers, making sure daughters Stacy and Julie knew where everything was and which items would need to be attended to in the coming weeks. The ambulance would be taking him to the Kaplan Family Hospice House.

“Dad had cancer for two and a half years and was tired of being sick,” recalls his daughter, Stacy Bazylinski. “Going to Kaplan was his choice. He definitely missed Mom, who had passed 12 years earlier.”

A Loving Family

Bruce and Lynda were high school sweethearts, graduating from Danvers High School in the Class of 1966. They bought the house in their early 20s and never left. Stacy describes their childhood as “pretty traditional.” Bruce was a police officer, known for his big personality, while Lynda worked “mother’s hours” as they raised their daughters.

“There was always so much love in the house,” says daughter Julie Donnelly. “Family was always first.”

When Lynda was in her 30s, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, with Stacy and Julie only 12 and 10 at the time.

“My mother was the kindest person you could know—she was a great friend, aunt, and mother,” recalls Julie. “She was also so strong. She taught us resilience and not to give up when life is challenging.”

After 23 years of battling different bouts with cancer, Lynda was just 61 years old when her health entered a critical decline.

“Mom fought hard until the very end,” says Stacy. “It took her awhile to consider hospice care, but when it became hard to keep her comfortable at home, she agreed to go to the Kaplan House. Those final days there allowed us to simply be with her as her family, not as caregivers.”

Although Lynda’s time at Kaplan was brief, the family remembers it as peaceful. A pull-out sofa allowed family members to stay overnight, while friends and loved ones could come to say goodbye.

“My dad saw the love and support we all received at Kaplan during Mom’s last days,” said Julie. “The compassion, empathy, and patience of the team made his own decision to go to Kaplan much easier.”

Returning to Kaplan for Comfort

In the end, Bruce spent 11 days at Kaplan House, alert and engaging with visitors. Stacy and Julie stayed with him each night, and Bruce formed a close bond with his hospice aide, Justin Johnson.

“Justin was such a kind soul,” says Julie. “Everyone was wonderful, but with Justin, it felt as if he cared for my dad like his own.”

“Within that first day or two, Justin connected with him,” adds Stacy. “You could sense that this was a special calling for him. Justin even gave my dad a bracelet, which my dad wore the entire time. We still have it.”

The bracelet – with a small cross – was given after Justin and Bruce had talked about religion. It was a small symbol of their bond during their time together.

“A lot of what we do here is talk with patients and get to know them and their families,” says Justin, who has been a hospice aide with Care Dimensions for two and a half years and has worked in health care for over a decade. “Beyond our caregiving responsibilities, we’re building real relationships and trust.

“What I like most about working here at Kaplan is that every patient is different. We’re tending to their unique, personalized needs. Each day is centered on what they want to do.”

Justin’s care exemplifies what the Kaplan House is all about: meeting patients where they are and easing a difficult time for both patients and families. Years later, Stacy and Julie continue to express gratitude for the support they received.

“The compassion and care shown by everyone made all the difference during those difficult days,” says Stacy. “They are truly special people.”

“We’re grateful for the Kaplan House,” echoes Julie. “Being able to spend time with our parents without having to worry about being their caregivers was invaluable during that time.”

Stacy and Julie now organize the Talbot Memorial 5k each fall, which provides financial support to local families battling cancer and scholarships to Danvers High School students.

Their story is highlighted in the Care Dimensions 2024 End-of-Year Appeal.
Donate to Care Dimensions here.