[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
“Call now. Don\u2019t wait.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n That\u2019s the message Wilma Erven wants everyone to hear because she\u2019s lived it.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Since the passing of her husband, Lee, in 2023, Wilma has made it her mission to share their story and encourage other families to reach out to HopeWest before it’s too late.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI cannot express how important it is to make that call. Don\u2019t wait,\u201d Wilma said. \u201cIt\u2019s absolutely critical to get your loved one into that wonderful service.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Wilma credits HopeWest\u2019s palliative and hospice care programs with giving her husband precious time; time they may not have had otherwise.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Without HopeWest, the months leading up to Lee\u2019s passing could have been filled with stress, confusion, and the overwhelming burden of managing his care. Instead, the HopeWest team guided Wilma and her family through every step, allowing them to focus on what mattered most.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cFamily was everything to Lee. More than anything, he wanted us to be together,\u201d Wilma shared. \u201cThanks to HopeWest, we got to spend extra special time with him.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n HopeWest can\u2019t always change how long someone lives, but we can help change someone\u2019s experience by offering comfort, guidance, and support during life\u2019s final chapter.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSometimes curing an illness is no longer an option,\u201d said April Krutka, Hospice & Palliative Care Medical Director at HopeWest, \u201cbut there is always something we can do to help a person, and their loved ones, live as fully as possible.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There\u2019s a common misconception that hospice care is only for the final days or hours of life. That\u2019s not true.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe earlier we get involved, the more we can help,\u201d Dr. Krutka explained. \u201cToo often, families call in the final days, when we could have offered support for months.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Wilma is grateful she didn\u2019t wait.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Knowing when to call isn\u2019t always easy. A good rule of thumb, according to Dr. Krutka, is this: if treatments are not helping like they used to, pain and symptoms are becoming harder to manage, or your loved one is going to the ER or hospital more frequently, it\u2019s time to call.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n And if it turns out it\u2019s not time just yet, that\u2019s okay. HopeWest can still help guide you, connect you with the right support, and make a plan for when the time does come.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Like Wilma and Lee, many families face uncertainty and fear when they first contact HopeWest. But from the very first visit, every phone call, and every moment of care, that fear begins to fade, replaced with confidence, support, and a sense of peace.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With HopeWest, families receive:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m so glad I made that phone call,\u201d said Wilma.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n One of Lee\u2019s final wishes still lives in her heart.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOne of the very last things my husband said to me was, \u2018I want you to give the same love you gave me\u2026 to HopeWest,\u2019\u201d Wilma shared.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Today, Wilma honors that wish as a dedicated volunteer. She donates nearly 40 hours a week, helping with office work, supporting fundraising events, and sharing her story to inspire others.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span> [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”Montserrat||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”6px” header_font=”||||||||” header_3_font=”Montserrat|700|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#008b95″ header_3_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/bit.ly\/hopewest-dont-wait%20″ button_text=”Contact Us Now” button_alignment=”center” admin_label=”Button” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”18px” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#19315a” button_border_width=”7px” button_border_color=”#19315a” button_border_radius=”23px” button_letter_spacing=”3px” button_font=”Oswald||||||||” button_use_icon=”off” custom_margin=”1px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_bg_color__hover=”#f4a327″ button_border_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_border_color__hover=”#f4a327″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.hopewestco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Wilma-and-Lee-in-Frame.png” alt=”HopeWest Dementia Support for Caregivers” title_text=”Wilma and Lee in Frame” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_divider color=”#df6c02″ divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font=”–et_global_body_font||||||||” header_3_text_align=”center” header_3_text_color=”#008b95″ header_3_line_height=”1.4em” header_4_font=”–et_global_body_font|||on|||||” header_4_text_align=”center” header_4_text_color=”#bcbcbc” header_4_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#df6c02″ divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”Suggested Blog Posts: Testimonials” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”7px|||||” global_module=”241366″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ text_font=”Montserrat||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”6px” header_font=”||||||||” header_3_font=”Montserrat|700|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#008b95″ header_3_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”||13px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blog fullwidth=”off” posts_number=”4″ include_categories=”3843″ excerpt_length=”50″ show_more=”on” show_author=”off” show_categories=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ header_font=”Montserrat||||||||” header_font_size=”22px” header_line_height=”1.5em” meta_font=”||||||||” meta_font_size=”14px” meta_line_height=”1.4em” read_more_text_color=”#df6c02″ pagination_font=”–et_global_body_font|700|||||||” pagination_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.42)” pagination_font_size=”17px” pagination_line_height=”1.6em” dbdb_show_tags=”on” border_radii=”on|9px|9px|9px|9px” border_width_all=”0px” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blog][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" “Call now. Don\u2019t wait.”\u00a0 That\u2019s the message Wilma Erven wants everyone to hear because she\u2019s lived it.\u00a0 Since the passing of her husband, Lee, in 2023, Wilma has made it […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":237300,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_searchwp_excluded":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3843],"tags":[5646,5651,5658,5665],"class_list":["post-238808","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-testimonials","tag-about-hopewest","tag-delta","tag-hospice","tag-patient-stories"],"yoast_head":"\n\n
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If you have a loved one who may benefit from our services, don\u2019t wait. Call 970-241-2212 or\u00a0connect with us through our online contact form.\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
\u201cI cannot express how important it is to make that call. Don\u2019t wait. It\u2019s absolutely critical to get your loved one into that wonderful service.\u201d<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Wilma Erven, Grateful Spouse<\/span><\/h4>\n
Suggested Reading<\/h3>\n