Testimonials

On Monday, September 9, 2024

A few minutes after her arrival at La Maison de la Sérénité, I came to join her. From the moment I arrived, the staff was exceptionally welcoming and supportive. As I walked down the corridor toward her room, the staff took the time to accompany me. And even then, you were by my sister’s side to ensure her comfort and to fully understand her situation and her disability. This first contact with your staff already revealed the human quality that is experienced within these walls.

It is not always easy to face illness and end-of-life care. Today, we want to thank you for the support your staff provided to our sister and our family. I have rarely seen such a peaceful and reassuring place within the healthcare system. You treat people with dignity, and we feel that respect from you. All the staff at your home—receptionists, caregivers, nurses, doctors—everyone acts with exemplary professionalism, with their hearts in the right place. I spent a night in the room with my sister. Throughout the night, I witnessed the quality of care provided 24 hours a day, all delivered with attention and kindness. You took the time to speak with my sister to inform her of the care she would receive, even in her sleep and even in her state of unawareness.

We will not name specific staff members because you all have been very welcoming. And what can we say about the cleanliness of the premises and the attention given to the material management of the place? You have thought of everything for a quality end-of-life environment: rest areas, a library, a terrace, a lounge, a dining room, a nature space… all tastefully arranged in a serene atmosphere.

You are human professionals with big hearts from A to Z.

• Thank you for your commitment.
• Thank you for your kindness.
• Thank you for your respect.
• Thank you for your humanity.
• Thank you for your support.
• Thank you for your smiles and your humor.
• Thank you for your serenity.
• Long live La Maison de la Sérénité.

I knew she’d have affection and a thousand and one attention to make her life as sweet and humane as possible. In my eyes, this is what she deserved, and luck was on our side as she was admitted on November 14, 2023. In our family, the grieving process wasn’t at the same stage for everyone, and my mother didn’t want to leave us so soon. We weren’t ready either, but are we ever? All I knew was that she would leave us soon, so we needed to make the most of every day and bring as much life to it as possible.

In my eyes, this is what she deserved, and luck was on our side as she was admitted on November 14, 2023. In our family, the grieving process wasn’t at the same stage for everyone, and my mother didn’t want to leave us so soon. We weren’t ready either, but are we ever? All I knew was that she would leave us soon, so we needed to make the most of every day and bring as much life to it as possible. That’s why her admission to La Maison de la Sérénité allowed us to rest and devote ourselves to quality time with her. We were always welcomed when we arrived with the grandchildren. There was always room for life. When my mother’s condition began to deteriorate, we were listened to in our worries and apprehensions, and you helped us to accept the inevitable.

Everything at La Maison de la Sérénité was done with kindness, listening, and sincere accompaniment during the month my mother lived there. It was what my mother deserved, and we will be eternally grateful for all you have done for our family. Special thanks to: With all her gentleness and light, Francesca charmed my mother during her visit to La Maison. All your warmth and gentle gestures were gifts from heaven. Thank you, Francesca. Jessica, thank you for your big heart and your sensitivity. You knew how to feel and welcome my mother into her grieving process, and you enveloped her in music and love. Carole, your energy, reassuring calm, gaze, and supportive presence made us a world of good. Thank you, Carole. Caroline, the nights I stayed with my mother, you were reassuring and caring. Thank you, Caroline. I want to thank every nurse, orderly sincerely, and the entire medical team for all your gestures, words, laughter, looks, touches, and attentiveness. You do an exceptional job because you are an outstanding group of people. Although losing my mother too soon remains a painful memory, you have all helped to soften the whole experience with your veil of love and reassurance.

Clo was diagnosed with cancer at the end of the year 2021. As of January 2022, I moved in with my parents to support them in this difficult time and to care for my mother as a caregiver. On this occasion, Clo expressed the desire to spend her last days at La Maison de la Sérénité. A few weeks before she passed away, Clo met Dr. Patrice Valcin, through the “Centre Intégré de Santé et de Services Sociaux de Laval” (CISSS of Laval). Dr. Valcin let us, gently, serenely, and pressure-free, learn about the end-of-life care process. He generously accepted to become my mother’s family physician and has taken the appropriate steps to transfer her to La Maison de la Sérénité. This transfer took place on July 15, 2022.

We experienced significant relief, and our anxiety faded quickly as soon as Clo arrived at La Maison de la Sérénité. As I had been used to caring for my mother for more than six months, I was reluctant to give up my place on the team at La Maison. We soon found the right balance in this regard. I realized quickly that the objective of La Maison de la Sérénité is to make things easier for patients and their loved ones. Having adapted its interventions to the image of our expectations, the team in place quickly developed a feeling of benevolence, collaboration, mutual trust, and even serenity. Clo and I describe our stay at La Maison de la Sérénité as a mother-daughter vacation. I slept next to her in her room on a sofa bed permanently installed for this purpose. We organized movie nights with pizzas and chips! Such moments would not have been possible if my mother had been hospitalized. Moreover, thanks to the availability of the staff and the care given to my mother, we did not experience any stress and felt safer and more relaxed than if we had stayed at home.

When Clo peacefully passed away in the afternoon of July 29, 2022, a flock of fifteen birds flew past her bedroom window as if to accompany her to the afterlife. It was magical, gentle, and calm. We were all there, my father, my brother Simon-Pierre and myself. My mother shed a tear for a split second before exhaling her last breath.

Because of the support offered by La Maison de la Sérénité, I did not experience any trauma at the time of my mother’s death. When the time comes, my biggest wish would be to spend my remaining days in this place and offer myself an ideal end of life.

The care provided is free; La Maison needs financial support and loving, available, empathetic, reliable, positive, responsible, and smiling volunteers to ensure its continuity. ” Each donation counts and makes a big difference.”

La Maison de la Sérénité came as a balm on this painful event. I never saw as much kindness in a square foot as in this place. The gentleness and humanity of the employees allowed my grandmother to leave in peace and with dignity.

I was especially touched by the fact that each person who entered the room took the time to introduce themselves to my grandmother, even though she had been unconscious for a long time. Following her death, all La Maison employees, from the director to the janitor, formed a guard of honour. They all stopped momentarily, in line and in silence, to honour this extraordinary woman they had never known. One thing is certain: La Maison de la Sérénité carries its name perfectly. Everyone should be able to say goodbye to a loved one in this place that, rather than mourning death, allows us to celebrate life.

He never tired of listening to a visitor, Sylvie, play the piano in the afternoons, and one of his favorite songs was QueSeraSera, popularized by Doris Day. What can we say about the songs by Quebec singers such as Félix Leclerc and Jean-Pierre Ferland that this pianist played to the delight of everyone at La Maison? These were unforgettable moments for us too, as we accompanied her to the Grand Salon to hear Sylvie play.

We even managed to organize a family reunion in the Pain & Espoir room lent to us by La Maison. Grandchildren came from the USA and Canada to share a meal, memories, and beautiful moments. After spending the last months of his life in hospital (one month at Cité de la Santé and one month at Jewish Convalescence), our 93-year-old father, father-in-law, grandfather, and great-grandfather Roger Ranger had the privilege of spending a month at La Maison de la Sérénité to end his life. He defied the laws of statistics! Thank you, Roger!

I will only name 2 or 3 people because I can’t remember all their names. Still, they were incredible in addition to Carole, who is encompassing of the experience, gentleness, and wisdom of La Maison and who was such necessary support for me, Francesca, who is always smiling and in a good mood, Albert (my little “coco” as Mom called him), who is attentive and always ready to help, and Dr. Nguyen, who explained the following steps to us in such a gentle way. Sincerely, they all have their hearts in the right place. I remember Carole’s remarkable response: “But how can you all be so serene when facing death every day? You have no happy ending?” Her answer was one of unspeakable purity: “But you know, to stop the suffering and accompany these people and be part of their departure to their final resting place is a priceless relief and, in a certain sense, a happy ending. Plus, we’re here with you to share the pain. Wow! What a response; she was so right, but I still say it takes extraordinary strength of character to do this job. They all have it. One thousand times, THANK YOU, and never underestimate the good you do!!!!!!! X.X.X.X.

I am often asked to take on different roles depending on the situation: counselor, facilitator, mediator, collaborator, consultant, educator, organizer, or negotiator.

In my opinion, psychosocial support at the end of life means following the person step by step, allowing them to access what is most meaningful to them, with the absolute confidence that their way of dying will be the best since it is their own. Therefore, to accompany means to be present for the person, by their side, with the utmost respect for their progress and pace. Psychosocial support requires the acceptance of the individual in their integrity, in what is unique and personal to them at this singular stage in their life. For me, showing respect, openness, and non-judgment towards the person at the end of life and their loved ones is essential. Each patient arrives at La Maison with their personal history, and each family arrives with their way of living and communicating. Therefore, every situation must be analyzed systemically. The patient is always at the center of my interventions, and their global well-being is my priority.

Since its opening in 2010, La Maison has relied on the generosity of its community and multiple business partners to continuously offer free palliative care services to patients and families dependent on this service. The financial stability of our non-profit organization is conditional on donors and partners like you. Giving to La Maison de la Sérénité, the only palliative care residence in Laval, contributes to the well-being of our patients and their loved ones.

At Couche-Tard, community involvement and the promotion of diversity and inclusion are more than just concepts: they represent the fabric of our corporate culture.

At Couche-Tard, community involvement and the promotion of diversity and inclusion are more than just concepts: they represent the fabric of our corporate culture. Together, we ensure that every team member feels valued and listened to, and can be authentic at work daily. When I joined Alimentation Couche-Tard in March 2023, I was immediately introduced to La Maison de la Sérénité and its importance. I joined La Maison’s Board of Directors in the months following my arrival. It was an easy integration for me, as each member of the Board also shares the philanthropic values required to ensure the continuity of La Maison within the Laval community. It’s an enormous privilege for me to contribute to La Maison’s mission while putting forward the support of my company and our business network, thereby contributing to the organization’s sustainability.

Palliative care is a cause close to my heart, as it is for Couche-Tard, one of the founders of La Maison. My parents are of French origin and still reside in France, and I sincerely hope that a home like La Maison de la Sérénité will be available when they reach the final stage of their lives. Knowing the good done daily at La Maison for patients and loved ones, I couldn’t ask for more for my parents. As we approach the 15th anniversary of La Maison de la Sérénité, the Laval business community and population must rally around the cause of end-of-life care. There are no small donations! I want to thank the employees, doctors, volunteers, donors, partners, and colleagues on the Board for making La Maison’s mission shine daily.

THANK YOU!

Nos patients et leurs familles sont la raison d’être de notre mission; les rendre confortables malgré les moments difficiles qu’ils ont à traverser et les faire se sentir comme des membres de notre grande famille.

Si nous réussissons à faire rire nos patients avec nos blagues, à les faire danser dans le couloir et à faire arrêter le temps pour quelques minutes, à les écouter nous raconter des moments mémorables avec leurs proches, à leur procurer des moments de plaisir avec nos fameuses crèmes glacées bien décorées ou avec les assiettes attirantes préparées avec amour par nos cuisiniers, à les accompagner pendant leur marche santé, ou pour sortir sur nos deux terrasses bien aménagées afin de relaxer en regardant la rivière ou en écoutant le chant des oiseaux qui sont soignés par nos bénévoles, à les aider à assister et à applaudir les spectacles organisés par La Maison, à leur donner un moment de joie chaque vendredi avec un bouquet de fleurs préparé par nos bénévoles , alors, notre mission est accomplie.

La Maison de la Sérénité fait la différence par son humanisme, son professionnalisme, son amour, sa chaleur et elle réussit à créer le sentiment d’être bien chez soi. Une fois intégré dans notre équipe, chaque membre se sent impliqué dans le fonctionnement de La Maison, dans l’amélioration de nos processus et de nos soins; chaque idée est écoutée et appréciée. Parfois, on oublie que nous sommes au travail car cet endroit c’est comme une deuxième maison pour nous. On passe plus de temps avec nos collègues qu’avec nos familles, on s’appuie et on s’encourage. Nous sommes là l’un pour l’autre. Merci à tous pour ce merveilleux milieu de travail et longue vie à cette Maison si unique!

For the past three years, I have had the privilege of supporting La Maison de la Sérénité in organizing their annual Walk, “Marchons pour La Maison.” This partnership has allowed me to discover a deeply dedicated team, including the event coordinator, Valérie, and to witness the strength of this truly unique Maison.

I have had the opportunity to participate in the Walk, and each time, I have been moved by the emotions it evokes. You can feel the living memory of those accompanied with dignity, the love of families gathered together, and the deep gratitude toward the entire team. It is a tender and powerful moment, reflecting everything La Maison brings to its community.

Thank you to the entire team for these 15 years of compassion, presence, and humanity.

It is an honour to be able, in my way, to support your mission