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”
Tag: Featured
Learning to Meet Patients Where They Are
Entering my second year of hospice volunteering, I thought I already understood what presence meant. During my first year I spent time with a patient who was almost completely silent. He was nonverbal and had significant hearing loss. At first I felt unsure about how to interact with him because so much of what we … Continue reading “Learning to Meet Patients Where They Are”
TEN MORE MINUTES: REFLECTIONS FROM HOSPICE VOLUNTEERING
It’s 10 a.m. on a Sunday morning. I’m tired, thinking about the assignments waiting for me later that night. It has been a stressful week. But at this very moment, I am present, in the dining room of the memory care unit, and “E” (pseudonym for my patient) is sitting by my side. “E’s” got … Continue reading “TEN MORE MINUTES: REFLECTIONS FROM HOSPICE VOLUNTEERING”