Abode Contemplative Care for the Dying

---

Edwin Sasek dreamed of a place where someone who was dying could be cared for and loved in a peaceful, gentle atmosphere. He shared his vision with his wife, Patsy, and they formed a team that would co-create ABODE Contemplative Care for the Dying.

Edwin attended the Kubler-Ross Institute in the 1980s, where he met John McKelvy. Years later, when Edwin and John reconnected, John told of a home for people at end-of-life, Mother Theresa House.

Reflecting, exploring and seeking a model for years of a home for the dying, Edwin and Patsy understood this model could work in San Antonio.

 “That dream became a reality in December 2014 when we welcomed the first guest into our custom-designed home at 8619 Post Oak Lane in San Antonio. The ABODE Home has welcomed many hospice patients, our Guests, since then. 

Our model provides care at no financial cost to the Guest. Specially trained staff, who we call End of Life Navigators, along with many volunteers, serve the family members and loved ones of each Guest as they journey through this intimate time of life.

“After a Guest died recently, his wife of 70 years said to me, ‘I can’t find the words to express how the staff and volunteers took care of my husband. A marvelous experience – I learned more from ABODE than I have anywhere else about compassion and caring.’

ABODE Training, Education, Events, Grief Support

 We all experience grief throughout our lives, as a result of many changes and losses. And we’re not always prepared to handle, manage or recover from the emotional impact that results from these changes and losses. We’ll gain so much from this program, especially in improving our knowledge, attitudes and behaviors related to grief. 

Join us as our own End of Life Navigator, Certified Grief Educator, John Vinson, guides us through these tender conversations.

The group meets 3-4:30 pm, every third Sunday of the month at ABODE, 8619 Post Oak Lane.  San Antonio, Texas 78217

Book Club, Education, Events

ABODE’s Book Club and Study Group 

Join us Tuesday, Jan 21, 6:30-7:30 pm Central, via Zoom. We’ll read and discuss How We Live is How We Die by Pema Chödrön. 

 As much as we might try to resist, endings happen in every moment – the end of a breath, the end of a day, the end of a relationship and, ultimately, the end of life. Accompanying each ending is a beginning, though it may be unclear what the beginning holds. In How We Live is How We Die, Pema shares her wisdom for working with this flow of life – learning to live with ease, joy and compassion through uncertainty, embracing new beginnings and ultimately preparing for death with curiosity and openness rather than fear. 

ABODE Training, Education, Events

 ABODE’s End of Life Yoga Certification is based on gentle, accessible yoga – yoga to fit anyone, anytime, anywhere and of all abilities. Yoga is so much more than pretty poses. It’s really all about love, service, breath and being present. Along with gentle practices, we’ll have plenty of contemplation, discussion, deep listening, journaling and an exploration of the Panchamayakoshas – don’t let all those syllables scare you! We’ll learn ’em! Having a specially curated yoga practice centered on the final stages of life will enhance how you serve and be with those who are dying. 

If you enjoy yoga – and you’re curious to learn how closely this beautiful practice can be incorporated at end of life, don’t miss our 60-hour ABODE End of Life Yoga Training. We’ve designed it specifically for yoga teachers and therapists, chaplains, hospice care workers or anyone who wants to serve the dying.

ABODE Training, Death Doula, Education, Events, News

We are delighted to offer our award-winning ABODE End of Life Doula Certification program, featuring hands-on learning with ABODE Guests! We welcome you to take advantage of this program and graduate learning the ABODE Way of caring for those at end of life. 

Fall (8 Saturdays + Staff & Volunteer Training)
Sept. 13, Sept. 20, Sept. 27, Oct. 4, Oct. 11, Oct. 18, Oct. 25, Nov. 1, Nov. 8

Each session is 1-6 pm except for our Sept. 20 Staff & Volunteer Training (details to come).

Bertsch & Boze Elder Law, 8703 Broadway and ABODE, 8619 Post Oak Lane, for hands-on training. For our Sept. 20 day, we’ll meet in Brown Hall, Church of Reconciliation, 8900 Starcrest.