Any time of the year can be a difficult for people who have lost family or friends. However, the holiday season can be particularly hard. Each December, VNA of Care New England holds the Circle of Love & Light ceremony to honor loved ones who are no longer with us.

On December 5, 2012, Debra Carroll told attendees at this special evening of reflection what Hospice Care of VNA of Care New England meant to her family as her dad, Joseph Amaral received care.  In her comments, Ms. Carroll said, "With the assistance of an incredible team of experts from Hospice Care of VNA of Care New England we were able to bring Dad home from the hospital, care for him and keep him comfortable.  Bringing him home meant that we could all live our lives with Dad able to be present, and experience it along with us. It was during his final days when he said, 'I can't remember the last time I felt this good."  Dad was not in pain when his journey ended on January 7, 2012." 

She went on to further say, "I have only one regret about Dad's care.  I wish that we had explored hospice sooner and been able to give him the gift of more pain free days and nights at home.  We would have, but we did not know what hospice really meant; we thought it meant giving up, when in reality, there could be nothing further from the truth.  It is my hope that others will take the time to learn what hospice care really means and that it is available for all in need."

"I hope you will consider making a donation to Hospice Care of VNA of Care New England this holiday season.  What we found is that hospice does not mean the end, it means the beginning of giving our loved ones hope as they enter a journey filled with peace, light and most of all love."

Your donation today will help make Ms. Carroll's wish that hospice care is available for all in need.   If you choose, you may honor or remember a loved one by having their name placed on the Commemorative Memory Scroll.

The donation form may be printed and returned to

VNA of Care New England
Attn: Circle of Love & Light
51 Health Lane
Warwick, RI  02886

For more information, please contact Susan Green at (401) 921-7626.