The time I’ve spent with my patient has been an extremely transformative experience. While I had to share my time with my patient with another volunteer, we each got to spend a lot of time with him playing board games and card games. I think we were both signs of comfort for him, as he … Continue reading “The things I’ve learned with the important time I spent With my patient”
Category: Athena Hospice Program
this is for posts in the category of Athena Hospice
Finding Purpose Through Hospice Care
One of my most meaningful hospice relationships has been with a patient I will call “SF.” “SF” recently turned 72 years old. He is immobile and constantly suffering from many physical problems, but despite this, he is humorous, kind, and patient. Every time I visit him, he tells me stories from his past, especially about … Continue reading “Finding Purpose Through Hospice Care”
What Hospice has given me
When asked to reflect on hospice, I found the task extremely difficult; words felt too small for the breadth of what I witnessed and the depth of what I felt. I entered the Hospice Program scared yet curious: I came wearing the familiar garments of friend, partner, listener, and helper, but I had not yet … Continue reading “What Hospice has given me”
In the quiet we learn to connect
One of my most meaningful experiences during my time as a hospice volunteer was my relationship with a woman I’ll refer to as “Mrs. L”. At the beginning of my involvement with her, our interactions were generally quiet and tentative. While I would read aloud to her occasionally, or simply hold her hand, I questioned … Continue reading “In the quiet we learn to connect”
From Fixing To Caring
During my time as a hospice volunteer, one of the most meaningful relationships I formed was with a patient I will call “Flower.” Over several months at Daylesford Crossing, our visits became something I looked forward to. One moment that stood out to me was when “Flower” asked us to bring her back to her … Continue reading “From Fixing To Caring”
Power in Silence
Volunteering with Athena Hospice has been one of the most grounding and transformative experiences of my life. Going into it, I expected to try and provide comfort to others, but I quickly realized how much I would learn in return: about presence, empathy, and what it truly means to care for another person at the … Continue reading “Power in Silence”
Care Beyond Intervention
As I reflect on my experiences thus far in hospice volunteering, one of my more meaningful Hospice patient relationships was with a patient, who I’ll refer to as “John”, a middle aged man who had a very joyful disposition on life. As a New Yorker, I attended high school in Tribeca, near the World Trade … Continue reading “Care Beyond Intervention”
Slowing Down
The patient that stuck with me the most during my time volunteering in hospice was actually the very first one I visited. I will call her “Jane” as a pseudonym. “Jane” was the oldest person at the facility, but you honestly would not have guessed that just by talking to her. She was still walking … Continue reading “Slowing Down”
Words Without Words – How I learned about my patient and myself through voiceless communication
There is more to life than just death. My time working as a hospice volunteer taught me a new perspective on not only what it means to be a patient on hospice care, but also taught me about what it means to be a part of humanity. My patient, who I will refer to as … Continue reading “Words Without Words – How I learned about my patient and myself through voiceless communication”
The Moment When a Connection Transcends a Diagnosis
The Moment When a Connection Transcends a Diagnosis Climbing the stairs to the common area every other week, to my side lay a sign that read, “Please climb the stairs quietly, per residents’ request.” Suddenly, my steps slowed, thoughts quickened, and excitement eroded. I began thinking, what if I arrive unremembered, unrecognized, and cause her … Continue reading “The Moment When a Connection Transcends a Diagnosis”