By Shannon Cavanagh
Local couple Ed and Patty Long have long been devoted to helping and comforting others. The former Palos Verdes residents have dedicated the last twelve years to creating a home for those in life’s grand finale.
Maybe it was Patty’s father moving in with the family in Palos Verdes Estates that led the couple to become compassionate about seniors and those late in life. Perhaps, providing comfort, security and peace was an innate life-calling. It’s feasible it could be both and more.
Ed and Patty Long moved to Palos Verdes in 1982 with their then 11-year-old son. Quickly immersing themselves in the community, Ed and Patty helped Palos Verdes Estates Chief of Police Dan Dreiling with his work for PVE-CARES. Ed also served as a Trustee for the PV Library District, and as a board member for the Peninsula Friends of the Library. The family were active participants and volunteers in Silver Spur Little League, AYSO and avid players at local tennis clubs. Their son attended Ridgecrest Middle School, Rolling Hills High School, and went on to graduate from UCLA.
“This is a very special place. It is unique in that it offers much more than just physical care and comfort to the patient but also psychological and emotional comfort to all of the members of the family going through the experience with the patient. It gave us peace knowing he was content and in a place where he was being loved. ”
-Melanie Lundquist
In 1996, Patty and Ed started H.E.L.P. (Healthcare and Elder Law Programs) in Torrance. After twelve successful and fulfilling years, the couple turned it over to others in 2008, and H.E.L.P. still thrives today.
Fast-forward to 2021. After twelve years of fundraising, becoming incorporated, searching for and finding the perfect property, plus extensive renovations…the Longs are celebrating Caring House’s fifth anniversary of welcoming residents and families.
“Residents and families have come to Caring House from the Peninsula and San Pedro and from across and far beyond the South Bay.”
Located in Torrance, Caring House is a unique place for those going through their final stage of life and is the first and only non-medical home in Los Angeles County totally focused on end-of-life care.
It is important to note, Caring House is not a Hospice provider. Caring House is a home where residence receive their visiting hospice care (5 – 10 hours a week) while their personal care is provided (24 / 7) by the remarkably loving Caring House staff. Removing the worry and energy of caretaking away from the family, allowing time for them to connect in the final days and weeks with their loved one. Caring House believes the end of life deserves as much beauty, care, honor and respect as the beginning.
For more information, visit, yourcaringhouse.org.
