When I signed up to be a hospice volunteer, I was not quite sure what to expect. Based on my experience of grandparents in end-of-life care, I assumed my role would involve talking to patients about their fears or simply offering silent companionship. I did not anticipate the joy and gratitude that can come along … Continue reading “The Power of Presence: Lessons from Hospice Care”
The Skills of Hospice Patient Care
Hi, you can call me Jason, and during my journey as a volunteer for Anova, I was assigned about 3-4 patients over the course of my time here. One relationship that I found to be extremely meaningful was with my patient, who we can refer to as Adam. Unfortunately he recently passed away, but our … Continue reading “The Skills of Hospice Patient Care”
The Power of Presence
I was fortunate enough to be matched with a patient early on in the school year and stay with him through the time of writing this essay. My patient, who I will refer to as “John,” is a man who has lived a long, fulfilling life, and now unfortunately struggles with Parkinson’s disease and dementia. … Continue reading “The Power of Presence”
The Gift of Time
There was one patient in particular that stood out to me, F. Our relationship grew over the time of my visits, and it got to the point where he remembered me and remembered things about me. This helped me gain a stronger bond because I felt connected to him. Visiting him quickly became the highlight … Continue reading “The Gift of Time”
Cherry Pie and Compassion: The Transformative Power of Hospice Volunteering
I sat at the Thanksgiving table with my family and friends, appreciating the full table of dishes and desserts in front of me. The laughter and conversation bounced around the room, filling my heart with memories of togetherness that I continue to cherish. However, one particular dish stood out to me: cherry pie. This dessert … Continue reading “Cherry Pie and Compassion: The Transformative Power of Hospice Volunteering”
In The Face of Loss: Where Little Wins Make The Biggest Difference
When I first joined this program, I had been learning how to cope with my grandfather’s transition into a nursing home. His dementia had been rapidly progressing and I watched his mental decline grow worse alongside my family with each subsequent visit. Coming into this program, I had some prior experience with patients in nursing … Continue reading “In The Face of Loss: Where Little Wins Make The Biggest Difference”
Through the Stained Glass: Lessons in Life and Purpose from Hospice Care
The first thing that came out of my mouth every Friday at 3 pm was, “Hey “Joseph”, what are you working on today?” Little did I know that behind that bathroom door lay a world of colorful glass and profound wisdom, waiting to shape my understanding of life and purpose. “Joseph”, a 93-year-old man I … Continue reading “Through the Stained Glass: Lessons in Life and Purpose from Hospice Care”
Final thoughts
My experience as a hospice volunteer was one that I highly value. Though I was only able to participate for a semester as I didn’t return to campus during the spring semester, my visits with patients in the fall were meaningful and provided me with insight about this essential part of patient care. I visited … Continue reading “Final thoughts”
Reflection on Experience at Haverford Sunrise in Haverford, Pennsylvania
I thoroughly enjoyed my experience in the pre-med hospice volunteer program, and I am thankful for each of the interactions that I shared throughout the past year. I vividly remember one of my most impactful interactions. A fellow student and I were meeting with a husband and wife, and the husband was comforting his wife … Continue reading “Reflection on Experience at Haverford Sunrise in Haverford, Pennsylvania”
My relationship with mortality
I wasn’t assigned a patient during the program, but I did still learn a lot by talking with the volunteer manager and by engaging with the materials sent out each week. Something meaningful that happened to me is that while progressing through the program, I find myself more comfortable with the idea of mortality and … Continue reading “My relationship with mortality”