The Care Team Hospice

There I was, sitting in the sunlit waiting room of a small coastal town, watching the waves crash against the shore, my father’s hands clasped in mine. This wasn’t a vacation, but it felt like one. The Care Team Hospice, nestled in this sleepy corner of the world, offered something I hadn’t expected: a way to travel with my father while honoring his final days. It was the kind of place where time slowed, where the air smelled of salt and lavender, and where care was as much about the journey as it was about the destination.^[2]

The Care Team Hospice isn’t your typical travel destination. It’s a quiet retreat for those who are nearing the end of life and their loved ones. It’s the kind of place where you can have a sunrise walk with your partner, sip tea in a sunroom overlooking the sea. Find comfort in the presence of trained professionals who understand both the emotional and physical needs of those who come here. I didn’t just visit. I stayed for four days, and in that time, I learned how to travel with a loved one in a way that was meaningful, safe, and deeply human.

The Care Team Hospice is more than a place—it’s a philosophy of travel that centers on presence, care, and connection. It’s where I walked the shoreline with my father, listened to the sea gulls, and found solace in the knowledge that we were both being held in a way that felt like home. It’s not about the destination, but about the moments in between. And that, I found, was the most valuable kind of journey.

What to Expect at The Care Team Hospice

As of September 2026, from the moment you arrive, you’re greeted by a team of compassionate caregivers who know how to balance comfort with care. The facility is small, intentionally so, with only six rooms, each overlooking the sea or nestled in a quiet corner of the property. Every room is designed with soft lighting, gentle colors, and a sense of peace that makes you feel like you’ve been invited into someone’s home.

The days here are structured but flexible. You can choose to spend your mornings walking the beach, your afternoons in a sunroom with a book, and your evenings sharing stories with others who are on similar journeys. The staff is always available, but they know when to step back and let you be with your loved one.

I stayed for four days, and in that time, I found myself moving at a slower, more intentional pace. The Care Team Hospice doesn’t rush you. It doesn’t ask you to do anything you don’t want to do. It just holds space for you, for your loved one, and for the time you have left together.

Part of our Care training guide.

The Care Team: Who They Are and What They Do

The team includes nurses, social workers, chaplains, and support staff who are trained in end-of-life care. Each member brings a unique skill set, but they all share a common goal: to ensure that your loved one is comfortable, respected, and supported throughout their journey.

I was struck by how much time the team spent simply listening. Whether it was my father talking about his childhood, or me crying over the unfairness of it all, they were there. They didn’t offer solutions they didn’t know. They just listened, and that made all the difference.

One of the nurses, Maria, became a constant presence for me. She would check in on us every few hours, not just to make sure my father was comfortable, but to make sure I was too. That kind of attention was something I didn’t expect, but it was deeply needed.

Care isn’t just about the body—it’s about the soul.

Related: What is dementia care training

Traveling with Dementia: A Unique Experience

I had never traveled with my father when he was living with dementia, and I was nervous about what that might look like. But The Care Team Hospice made it possible. The staff was trained in dementia care, and they knew how to handle moments of confusion or agitation with patience and understanding.

The environment was designed with dementia in mind—low lighting, minimal noise, and clear pathways. There were no sharp corners or confusing layouts, which helped my father feel more at ease. He would walk the shoreline in the afternoons, and he never once seemed lost or afraid.

One of the best parts was the way the staff engaged with my father. They didn’t talk down to him or treat him like he was someone else. They treated him like a person with his own thoughts, feelings, and dignity. That made all the difference for both of us.

“There I was, sitting in the sunlit waiting room of a small coastal town, watching the waves crash against the shore, my father’s hands clasped…”— Traveling with Dementia Care editors

Related: Tips for taking care of dementia patients

The Benefits of a Short Stay

I had assumed that a stay at a place like this would be too long or too expensive, but the reality was quite different. Four days was enough time to feel like we had been on a mini vacation, and at $680, it was more affordable than I had expected.^[1]

During my stay, I found time to rest, to reflect, and to simply be with my father. There was no pressure to do anything but sit with him, walk with him, and listen to him. It was a rare kind of travel—one that didn’t focus on destinations or itineraries, but on the moments that mattered most.

I left the retreat feeling more at peace than I had in months. I had come expecting to feel sad, but I left with a sense of gratitude. That was something I hadn’t anticipated, but it was one of the most valuable gifts of the trip.

Related: Dementia care training online

The Power of Nature in Healing

The retreat is located on the coast, and that location is no accident. The sea air, the sound of the waves, and the gentle rhythm of the tides all contribute to a sense of peace that is hard to find elsewhere. Even the staff seemed to be more relaxed when they were outdoors.

My father and I spent many afternoons walking along the beach, and each time we did, I noticed a change in him. He seemed calmer, more present, and more at ease. The sea had a way of drawing him in, of reminding him of who he was and where he had come from.

There were moments when the sun would set and the sky would turn a deep shade of orange. In those moments, I felt a deep sense of connection—not just to my father, but to the world around us. It was a reminder that healing can happen in the most unexpected places.

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The Importance of Family Involvement

One of the things I loved most about The Care Team Hospice was how much they involved family in the care process. They didn’t see family as an afterthought—they saw us as essential to the journey.

There were opportunities for us to sit together, to talk about our loved one, and to share our feelings with the staff. It was a way of saying that we were all in this together, and that our voices mattered.

I found that being involved in the care process helped me feel more connected to my father, even as his memory faded. It reminded me that love doesn’t have to be about remembering—it can be about being present, even when the past slips away.

Love is about being there when the memories fade.

Related: Dementia care tips adria thompson

What Makes This Retreat Unique

There are many places that offer end-of-life care, but few offer the kind of experience that The Care Team Hospice provides. It’s not just about comfort—it’s about connection, presence, and the chance to create meaningful moments.

What sets this retreat apart is its ability to make you feel like you belong. It’s a place where you can be yourself, where you don’t have to hide your grief or your love, and where you can simply be with the person you care about.

It’s a place that doesn’t rush you, that doesn’t judge you, and that doesn’t expect you to be strong. It just holds space for you, and for your loved one. That kind of care is rare, and that’s why I believe it’s one of the most valuable experiences I’ve ever had.

The Care Team Hospice