Early last month, I traveled to Hillsboro, North Dakota to visit with a delightful woman named Clarice Satrom. We met to talk about her experiences as a hospice volunteer in a nursing home.
People often wonder why someone needs hospice services when they’re already living in a nursing home. After all, when we think of hospice we usually picture caregivers going into private homes to provide services for people who are terminally ill.
Yet, it’s important to remember that the nursing home is the resident’s home. At the end of life, people living in nursing homes are equally deserving of the extra attention and expertise provided by hospice staff and volunteers.
After hearing Clarice’s story, I hope that you will consider serving others by becoming a hospice volunteer in a nursing home.
What motivates a person to become a hospice volunteer?
Hospice volunteers come from a wide variety of backgrounds, ages, and experiences. Many times, a person becomes a volunteer because of the positive experience they had with hospice in the past. Such was the case for Clarice.
In April of 2006, Clarice’s husband, Lester, died in the nursing home in Hillsboro. After living with Parkinson’s disease for several years, Lester received hospice care—first in his home and later at the nursing home.
A few months after Lester died, a hospice staff member asked Clarice if she was interested in becoming a hospice volunteer in the Hillsboro nursing home.
“I told her I would try, but I didn’t know if I would be good enough for this kind of work. I had to think about it for a few days. Soon I came back and we met for coffee. That’s when she really got me going at it. I said yes, and the rest was wonderful and meaningful.”
Clarice started going to the nursing home every week. Over the past 12 years, the lives of hundreds of residents have been enriched by her presence.
What does a hospice volunteer do in a nursing home?
Hospice services are individualized according to the needs and wishes of each resident. For example, the resident or their family might request a volunteer to come in and simply provide companionship.
As death draws near, hospice volunteers often keep vigil at a resident’s bedside so they won’t die alone. Other times, a volunteer sits with a resident to give the family a break if they need to get away for a quick meal, shower, or nap.
In Clarice’s words, “It’s so rewarding sitting with a patient as they are very ill on their last days. I hold their hand, talk, read to them, and even sing a few little songs to them or with them. Sometimes you just sit close by and let them know you are there and care for them.”
What does a volunteer gain by working with hospice?
Most volunteers will tell you that they receive much more than they give. According to Clarice, “I enjoy volunteering very much. It’s more than rewarding for me. The staff and people are very kind and nice to me and that helps.”
Many volunteers find that caring for others through hospice enriches their own lives. Such is the case for Clarice. After being married for almost 50 years, losing her husband left Clarice feeling lonely. Their four children were now adults, and their sons took over management of the family farm. Clarice felt a need to do something new with her time, and the residents of the nursing home have benefited from that decision ever since.
Isn’t it depressing to be a hospice volunteer?
This is a common question and a reason why some people hesitate to become volunteers. Yet, listening to Clarice tell stories about her time as a hospice volunteer makes it clear that she finds much joy in her time at the nursing home.
Clarice affirms that sometimes her work is challenging, especially when “a patient is dying and you sit by their bed trying to keep close to them.” Yet, this can also become a beautiful experience as Clarice relates in this story:
“I volunteered with a very nice man that only had a day or two to live. I sat by his bed, and a pastor came into his room with his guitar and we all sang. What a wonderful evening. The next day the man died.”
How do you renew your spirit when working with terminally ill residents?
Clarice finds joy in her volunteer work by helping more than just her residents who receive hospice care. This includes volunteering with her church group every Thursday at the nursing home. Here, she helps take people to church services and then back to their rooms.
“I also dress up for different holidays. On Halloween, I’ve dressed like a witch with a big hat, dark glasses, and I blackened my teeth in front. The residents seemed to enjoy the funny me. One elderly man told me I should dress up as an angel rather than a witch. For St. Patrick’s Day, I’ve worn a green hat and a green scarf around my neck.
One Christmas, I was an angel, dressed in my long, white gown, a halo, and wings. The people seemed to like that. We also passed gifts around, and we had a Santa & Mrs. Claus. Everyone had such a good time—and we still do!”
What’s the next step if someone is interested in volunteering?
Clarice encourages everyone to, “think of how you can help people that need companionship.” We all have unique gifts and interests, and there’s a place in hospice to use your talents.
Perhaps, like Clarice, you can serve by providing 1:1 companionship to residents in a nursing home. There are lots of other ways to volunteer, too. These include providing pet therapy, styling hair, or helping with fundraising. Simply contact your local hospice and they’ll be happy to answer all of your questions.
Clarice Satrom lives in Grandin, North Dakota and volunteers with Hospice of the Red River Valley. For more information about the many opportunities available to hospice volunteers, please visit the HRRV website.
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