Sometimes, getting old can be frightening, particularly when there is no family to call and no safety net to catch you when your body begins to fail. In circumstances like these, survival often depends on one thing: whether someone chooses to care. For one octogenarian, Helen, that someone was Deborah Page — an angel on earth who stepped in when no one else was there.
Helen lived a quiet, rather solitary life. She had no children and no family she was in touch with. Deborah often referred to her as her “aunt,” although they were not related by blood. Deborah had known Helen for nearly twenty years and had always looked out for her. When Deborah moved to Vero Beach from Jensen Beach about five years ago, she brought Helen with her because there was no one else to support her elderly friend. At that time, Helen owned a home in Jensen Beach, and Deborah generously assisted her with selling it before helping her settle into a small apartment in Vero Beach, believing it would be safer and easier.
As Helen aged, her health declined steadily. She had several issues, including diabetes, kidney disease, and countless other ailments documented in stacks of paperwork. And what began as occasional instability turned into frequent, frightening falls. Deborah worked during the day and often had no idea anything was wrong until Helen finally called. Sometimes Helen had been lying on the floor for hours, unable to get up. The pain in her legs worsened, her mobility decreased, and with that came depression and anger — understandable responses to losing independence. Eventually, Helen admitted to Deborah what she had long resisted: she could no longer live on her own.
Deborah graciously arranged for an assisted living facility, hoping it would bring relief. Unfortunately, Helen’s health deteriorated very quickly, and soon she had little use of her arms and legs. She required constant hydration, frequent assistance, and near round-the-clock care. Yet appointments with specialists were months away, despite calls from Deborah, and each delay meant further decline. The assisted living facility eventually admitted they could no longer care for her. Helen had nowhere to go.
So, Deborah stepped in, once again. Despite being overwhelmed, exhausted, and deeply stressed, she never walked away. “She had no one,” Deborah said simply. “So of course I was going to help her.” She became Helen’s advocate, her voice, and her protector in a system that often felt indifferent. Still, there were moments when the weight felt unbearable.
Then came a turning point.
An acquaintance suggested Deborah call the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA). By the time Deborah made the call, she was sitting in her car, crying. She explained that Helen could not feed herself, could not drink water, could not move, and had essentially been abandoned by the system. The response she received was immediate compassion. “The VNA listened. They believed me,” said a visibly grateful Deborah.
The very next day, a VNA representative went to see Helen and Deborah together at Deborah’s assisted living facility. After reviewing Helen’s medical history, it became clear that recovery was no longer possible. Hospice care was the appropriate next step — not to give up, but to give comfort, dignity, and peace. Within days, the VNA helped arrange placement in a small, residential care home unlike any Deborah had seen before. “It was warm, personal, and attentive. Caregivers checked on residents constantly. Needs were met immediately,” said Deborah.
As part of VNA’s Hospice services, a hospital bed was brought into the home, which Helen loved. And VNA nurses visited daily, adjusting Helen’s medications and easing her pain. They also called Deborah after each visit. “For the first time, I felt supported rather than alone. There was always someone to call, someone who knew Helen and her (health) issues, someone who cared.”
Helen spent her final two months in comfort. Though she continued to decline, she was clean, warm, safe, and treated with kindness. It was the most peaceful she had been in eons. For Deborah, knowing Helen was cared for allowed her to finally breathe. “The VNA did not just care for Helen, they cared for me, too,” said Deborah.
When Helen passed in June 2024, Deborah was heartbroken but prepared. The VNA had guided her every step of the way. Bereavement services were offered, though Deborah was so exhausted she needed time simply to recover. She became ill herself after everything she had carried. But she knew, without question, that Helen’s final chapter had been one of dignity and compassion.
Deborah never sought recognition. She stepped in because it was the right thing to do. In a world where it is easy to look away, she chose to stay. She chose to love. And thanks to Deborah’s selflessness, and the extraordinary work of the VNA, Helen did not leave this world alone.
Some angels don’t have wings. Sometimes, they answer the phone, show up every day, and refuse to abandon someone who has no one else.
Please consult your physician regarding any medical issues. The Visiting Nurse Association of the Treasure Coast (VNA) is committed to bringing trusted and quality home health, private care and hospice to Indian River County patients. For more information about VNA services, call 772-567-5551 or visit www.vnatc.com.
