Dr. H struck me as a very sweet-tempered and genuinely caring person when I first met him. This has not changed as I have gotten to know him better. When his eyes light up at the mention of his wife coming to visit, or when his voice speaks of his children’s achievements with a father’s … Continue reading “Hospice and Me: A Reflection on Patient Encounters”
Author: A Student
A Reflection on My Experience as a Volunteer
The first patient I met moved me to tears. She was sitting in the lobby by herself. My volunteer coordinator said, “She is always here, the nursing staff almost always just put her here and leave her, shoving a day-old newspaper in her hand.” The newspaper was covered in grease and food crumbs. She had … Continue reading “A Reflection on My Experience as a Volunteer”
New Perspectives
Throughout the past nine months, my experience as a hospice volunteer has taught me some of the most valuable lessons and equipped me with a better understanding of the balance between medical care and the beauty of human life. My weekly visits with patients allowed me to experience many aspects of end-of-life care and to … Continue reading “New Perspectives”
Recognizing Death
Throughout hospice volunteer experience, I had many meaningful connections with my patients. The moment that I find the most memorable was when my coworker and I visited Michelle, a recently-admitted patient. When we knocked on Michelle’s door, she was obviously agitated. She immediately asked us what was going on. We told her who we were and … Continue reading “Recognizing Death”
The Healing Power of Conversation
From my very first visit with Sally and Mark in the hospice facility last October, the married couple has never not made me smile. Sally was a stay-at-home mom, who raised not only her children with Mark, but also her nieces and nephews whose parents passed away when they were young. Despite her dementia, her … Continue reading “The Healing Power of Conversation”
The Last Hurdle of Life and Its Effects on Others
While serving as a hospice volunteer for the past few months, I have met several people in hospice along with their families. It’s interesting and exciting to listen to each person’s stories about their lives. One particular patient named Mary and her family changed how I viewed the end of life. Mary had been in … Continue reading “The Last Hurdle of Life and Its Effects on Others”
Listening to The Little Things
From just one hospice visit, I learned that near the end of life, you begin to find beauty in the mundane and simple. During a visit with a new patient, we spent our entire time together talking about food. My patient was commenting on the breakfast food she had in front of her, wondering if … Continue reading “Listening to The Little Things”
What Death Has Taught Me About Life
My hospice journey began with a patient in the late stages of neurodegenerative disease. Even though she was awake, she could not speak or show conscious awareness of her surroundings. It was frustrating at first because I did not know how to interact with her. I tried asking questions, showing her pictures, and reading to … Continue reading “What Death Has Taught Me About Life”
Storytelling with Donna and Joey
Donna and Joey met in high school at the diner where Donna worked. Joey often recounts the delicious milkshakes and burgers they shared. They have been together since they met and never left their hometown, except for when Joey served in the navy during World War II. Their small hospice room is filled with medals … Continue reading “Storytelling with Donna and Joey”
A New Outlook
When I first decided to join the volunteer program with Seasons Hospice Care, I had a very different idea of hospice than I do now. Through working with multiple patients, I have seen real life examples of how hospice is not accepting defeat; it is celebrating life and making the end of life as comfortable … Continue reading “A New Outlook”