UNSUNG HEROES 2023
The response Welch got was positive , and once he got the green light , it took about six months for him and others to put a local program together since hospitals merely adopt the concept but develop their own curriculum . In November , the hospital put out a call for volunteers . Volunteers have to first be vetted by St . Joseph ’ s volunteer program for their accreditation . The general program is managed by Joanna Smith .
“ There are a lot of moving parts to it ,” Welch said . “ While it is a hard subject to talk about , it needs to be talked about because everyone deserves a dignified death .… If we can get past the stigma of talking about patients ’ dying , then I think those people with kind , open hearts would be glad to sit at bedside and see how rewarding it is to be there .”
For No One Dies Alone , the hospital is looking for sociable adult volunteers who want to make a difference in their community and
“ No one should die alone … Each human should die with the sight of a loving face .” — MOTHER TERESA
have “ kind hearts who are willing to be with someone at their lowest and scariest point .”
Welch said that No One Dies Alone currently has three active volunteers and several more in the pipeline who , once trained , can provide companionship , support and compassion to hospitalized patients
For No One Dies Alone , the hospital is looking for sociable adult volunteers who want to make a difference in their community and have “ kind hearts who are willing to be with someone at their lowest and scariest point .”
who do not have anyone to be present with them at their bedside while they ’ re dying — as a loved one would .
Welch explained that patients have been assessed as likely to pass away in a 72-hour time period and have no one at bedside with them . When the criteria is met , Welch said , the charge nurse will contact him to schedule the volunteers .
If a volunteer is activated , they will sit at the patient ’ s bedside for few hours at a time .
After general volunteer training , NODA training involves a single three-hour session which includes the stages of dying , roleplaying simulations , their role in the room , when to call a nurse , helping patients with food , and ways to engage with the patient through talking , reading , singing or playing music , and praying if the patient desires .
“ It ’ s a program that hopefully you don ’ t have to use a lot but you ’ re glad that you have it ,” Welch said . “ It ’ s a very rewarding thing .… You are offering your own free time to sit with someone who doesn ’ t have much time left . You ’ re choosing to spend it with them and make those last few hours of that person ’ s life meaningful .”
Welch added there has been interest in expanding the program throughout the CHI Saint Joseph hospital system if it proves successful in London .
“ Honestly what inspired me to go into health care was obviously my family ,” Welch said . “ They encouraged me to go into it because they saw where I enjoyed helping people so much and they thought I could do a lot of good that way . On the whole , they ’ re right .”
To volunteer for No One Dies Alone , those interested must first apply to the hospital ’ s volunteer program . For more information , visit the CHI Saint Joseph Health website at https :// www . chisaintjosephhealth . org / and select “ Ways to Help .”
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