Telephone 530-758-5566 • Toll free 800-491-7711 • Fax 530-758-5122 • 1909 Galileo Court, Suite A, Davis, CA 95618

Home

Services & Personnel

News & Information

Getting Involved

Volunteer is Inspired by Hospice Patients

August 15, 2010

 

Many individuals are drawn to become hospice volunteers because they experienced firsthand the care and compassion shown to their families by volunteers. Sylvia Schaefer joined Yolo Hospice one year ago after seeing her father and cousin benefit from hospice services.

Sylvia and her fellow patient care volunteers are valued members of the Yolo Hospice team, offering care and support to patients and their families.

Sylvia is not a newcomer to the medical field, having spent decades as a nurse. But, despite her experience and having assisted four hospice patients so far, she still learns something from each individual she serves.

“I was most surprised that people with debility were eligible for hospice,” said Silvia. “I thought hospice was mostly for cancer patients, yet three of the patients I’ve assisted have been diagnosed with debility.”

Yolo Hospice cares for and supports patients nearing the end of life no matter their disease or illness. Some of the conditions which make people eligible for hospice care include dementia, congestive heart failure, kidney disease and stroke. Medicare, the organization that sets the standards for hospice care, also considers debility an appropriate diagnosis of hospice care indicating a life-limiting combination of health issues.

Emily
Emily was a very independent 95-year old who still lived alone. Needing a wheelchair and help to get dressed was difficult for her to accept. Despite her declining health, her love of music remained strong, and anywhere there was live music, that’s where she wanted to be.

“I took Emily out to a music in the park event,” said Sylvia. “She danced in her wheelchair while everyone around her smiled. It cracked me up it was so adorable.”

Joan
Joan was losing her appetite and getting weaker, but struggling to keep doing the things she loved, including caring for how she looked. As a younger, healthier woman, she took pride in her well-groomed appearance, giving herself manicures and pedicures. By the time Sylvia came into her life, those tasks were beyond her ability. So, Sylvia took Joan out for a pedicure on her birthday.

“In the middle of the pedicure, Joan fell asleep in her chair with a big grin on her face,” said Sylvia. “It was heartwarming to see her joy in it.”

Beth
Beth was frail and living on Ensure. She was an artist and savored color, shape and beauty in everything around her. Sylvia helped Beth to continue enjoying life; they went shopping, read books on art and visited galleries.

“Beth enjoyed it all, but I remember one shopping trip where I played her personal shopper,” said Sylvia. “She had a particularly good time, but I had to take her home early. She was having such a good time, I was afraid she’d overdo it.”

“It has been enlightening for me to meet these wonderful women,” said Sylvia. “They were in declining health, but still highly functioning and continued to want the most out of life, and to do the things they wanted to do. Their zest for living is inspirational.”

Debility in Hospice Patients
Some people, as they approach the end of life, develop multiple serious chronic health problems, which together contribute to declining ability to care for themselves and worsening quality of life. The diagnosis used in this situation is general debility. It is marked by a worsening of the illness or illnesses as well as worsening of symptoms and signs of decline such as weight loss, inability to walk, feed or bathe, a decrease in blood pressure, sudden or increased mental impairment, increased general weakness. etc. Healthcare personnel, doctors, family and friends who recognize the decline can call Yolo Hospice to help support the patient and their loved ones.

“The debility diagnosis is a general category we can use to help people get the support they need in this critical time in their lives,” said Jody Norton, RN, CHPN, Director of Patient Care Services at Yolo Hospice. “When you’re ill with one disease, it may or may not be life threatening. But it can lower your resistance to other illness, and fighting one disease can run down your body so that other bodily systems aren’t working as they should.”

No matter what illnesses patients have, Yolo Hospice’s goal is to help them live life to the fullest and celebrate their lives and loves. Sylvia’s interaction with these women is one way the Yolo Hospice team supports patients’ desire to remain active within their capabilities. Patient care volunteers make a real difference in the lives of patients and families. And, as Sylvia will tell you, the patients also make a difference in the lives of the volunteers.

You can become a patient care volunteer or ask about other types of volunteer activities by calling or emailing Nancy Bodily, Volunteer Services Manager at (530) 758-5566 or nbodily@yolohospice.org.

 

 

 

 

 

Make A Donation

Make Your Wishes Known

Join Our Email List
Email: