“John” was the first patient we met at the hospice center. On our first day, we were heading to meet the floor staff when we spotted “John” taking a stroll nearby. The staff introduced us to him, and he turned out to be a very energetic and lively man. He shared that he went boxing … Continue reading “Empathy and Gratitude Learned from Others”
Program Year Ending: 2025
A Lesson in Patient Care: More Than Just the Patient
Working in hospice has transformed the way I view patient care. When I first started, I assumed my primary responsibility would be to help the patient directly, but I quickly learned that my role extended beyond that. One patient, Mr. “Bennett” (name changed for privacy), deeply impacted me and shifted my understanding of what it … Continue reading “A Lesson in Patient Care: More Than Just the Patient”
An important lesson learned
The Athena Institute Hospice Program provided me with an invaluable opportunity for me to develop a wonderful relationship with a non-verbal patient. When our program director first introduced me to the gentlemen, all of the scenarios I had played in my head of what the interaction would look like went out the window. I had … Continue reading “An important lesson learned”
Presence in the Present
When I first met my patient (I will give her the name “Jane” for patient privacy) I was unsure of what our relationship was going to be like. Her polished room, with neat labels on most things, and an organized array of familial pictures gave me an idea that she was someone who was very … Continue reading “Presence in the Present”
The Beauty of Life
During my time volunteering with the Athena Hospice Program, I have been paired with only one patient. I have had the opportunity to make weekly visits to this same patient over the course of the semester and I feel like I have truly gotten to know this individual and make an impact, however small, on … Continue reading “The Beauty of Life”
Lessons from a Former Athlete: Hospice and the Power of Presence
Throughout my time as a hospice volunteer, my patient profoundly impacted my understanding of patient care. Once a standout college athlete in baseball and basketball and a dedicated high school biology teacher, my patient now faces the daily challenges of dementia and Parkinson’s disease. Despite these hardships, his love for sports and science remains, shining … Continue reading “Lessons from a Former Athlete: Hospice and the Power of Presence”
The Power of Presence: Lessons from Hospice Care
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”