My experience in working in hospice care has been nothing short of meaningful and eye-opening. Over the past several months, I have had the opportunity to get to know my patient that I will refer to as “Jane.” From the first moment I met her, she was the sweetest and most friendly woman I have … Continue reading “The Privilege of Presence”
Author: A Student
The Courage to Be Present
Death and dying have always been difficult concepts for me to reflect on and talk about. I remember my first experience losing someone from my church as a young girl. This moment scarred me as I realized I wouldn’t see this person again and how she would not be the only person I’d lose. When … Continue reading “The Courage to Be Present”
Volunteering in Hospice Care, and The Importance of Connection
My initial understanding of hospice care, and what it entailed, was through the Being Mortal documentary. It had provided an excellent framework in understanding the importance of end-of-life care and its priorities, but I always worried that any effort I made might not have been enough. Even if I were certain in my intentions, in … Continue reading “Volunteering in Hospice Care, and The Importance of Connection”
Hospice: A Lesson on Appreciating One’s Humanity
My time as a hospice volunteer has been incredibly influential and deeply impactful. When I was presented with this opportunity, I applied because I thought it would look good on my medical school applications. However, I quickly realized that I was gaining much more than that. Volunteering through Athena and Compassus taught me many life … Continue reading “Hospice: A Lesson on Appreciating One’s Humanity”
Final Athena Hospice Care Reflection
One of my most meaningful hospice relationships came late into my Athena journey, as many of our patients in the beginning were sadly transitioning. Although I haven’t spent as much time with them as I would like, I still feel as though a relationship was made. My patient and I were quiet together, as she … Continue reading “Final Athena Hospice Care Reflection”
Moments that Matter
One of the most meaningful relationships I formed during my hospice volunteering was with a patient I will call “Mrs. Thompson.” When I first started visiting patients, I was not sure what my role would be. I did not want to bother patients and was scared that my presence was a source of annoyance instead … Continue reading “Moments that Matter”
Mortality & Morality: My Hospice Volunteerism Experience
Through the Athena Hospice Volunteer Program, I was fortunate to spend meaningful time with two patients. The first was a patient suffering from cardiac and neurological complications, who shared inspirational experiences with me. She expressed how, in her early life, she pursued higher education and became the first occupational therapist at her hospital. After settling … Continue reading “Mortality & Morality: My Hospice Volunteerism Experience”
The enlightenment of hospice care
This past semester, I only had one hospice patient, “X.” She is an amazing woman; she has trouble remembering me sometimes, but we still talk about her childhood, especially the farm she grew up on. She is in her early 90s and lives in the memory care section at a care home for seniors. We … Continue reading “The enlightenment of hospice care”
Leaving Space for Silence
The patient I visited for the duration of the program was an easy-going, humble, and soft-spoken 92-year old woman with protein calorie malnutrition. Our visits early on included discussions of her owl collection, our shared love of skiing, and the weather outside that day. As I kept visiting, it seemed like our conversations became less … Continue reading “Leaving Space for Silence”
TEN MORE MINUTES: REFLECTIONS FROM HOSPICE VOLUNTEERING
It’s 10 a.m. on a Sunday morning. I’m tired, thinking about the assignments waiting for me later that night. It has been a stressful week. But at this very moment, I am present, in the dining room of the memory care unit, and “E” (pseudonym for my patient) is sitting by my side. “E’s” got … Continue reading “TEN MORE MINUTES: REFLECTIONS FROM HOSPICE VOLUNTEERING”