School: Princeton

Volunteering with Ascend Hospice this year has given me both a new outlook on my future career and on my personal life. By interacting with some very special end-of-life patients, I have been able to reflect more carefully on my role in the comfort of others and how I, in my life, can be helpful … Continue reading “Introduction to Palliative Care and Meaningful Experiences”

I treasure many of my interactions with hospice patients—each patient taught me something different and valuable about the process of dying and reflecting on one’s life. One interaction that stands out in particular involved a patient suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease, named Anne. Anne was incredibly unreceptive to my attempts to engage with her. In fact, she … Continue reading “A Difficult Dance”

My first visit under the Ascend Hospice volunteer program was to Brookdale Hamilton, a senior living community that provides end-of-life care to individuals with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. I distinctly remember one patient, a woman in her mid-80s with late stage Alzheimer’s. She wholeheartedly believed that she knew who I was and began … Continue reading “First Hospice Visit Experience”

Hospice volunteering has been one of the most enriching experiences of my entire Princeton career. I entered the program unsure of what to expect. I envisioned long, sterile hallways, desperate patients, and emotionally harrowing visits. I’d never seen someone at the end of their life, and I was worried it might be a graceless time, … Continue reading “Grace”

There was a twinkle in Carly’s eye the moment the four of us walked into the room. It was a cold day in November and it was the first time that I had visited the Princeton Care Center. Although Carly was not a Hospice patient, she always sat in the exact same spot at the exact same … Continue reading “An Unexpected Exchange”

I approached my first hospice visit with a hint of apprehension. Up until then, my interactions with the elderly had largely been limited to my grandparents – relatives who had known me since my birth. With hospice patients, I was afraid that the intergenerational gap would be insurmountable – not to mention the inherent difficulties … Continue reading “Stories of a Lifetime”

Although my year in the Ascend Premed Hospice program is coming to a close, I am very grateful that I had the opportunity to meet and learn the stories of not only the Hospice patients and staff but from Allie, Jake, and Chaplain Bridget as well. This volunteer experience has deeply affected my view of … Continue reading “Lessons for a Lifetime”

Having grown up with my grandparents, it is difficult for me to fully accept that one day they would no longer be the pillars of our family. When I found out about the Hospice program, I submitted my application hoping to have an opportunity to interact with the patients who have also played significant roles … Continue reading “Thoughts on Being a Hospice Volunteer”

Upon first arriving at the care center, I was a bit apprehensive. Although I had received training in how to interact with the patients, the idea of actually engaging a real patient face-to-face suddenly seemed rather daunting. After all, what could I really do that would make any difference in the life of someone at … Continue reading “A New Perspective”