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Diane K. Bert, Special to Hometownlife.com Published 11:18 a.m. ET July 23, 2019
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The Venerable Kevin Hickey, Beaumont Royal Oak Chaplain, nurse manager Kristen Chaulk, and No One Dies Alone volunteer Sue Bay are accompanied by the special cart which volunteers use as they provide compassionate care for patients is the final hours of their life through the No One Dies Alone program. The cart contains hand crocheted afghans, reading materials, and other soothing items for end of life comfort.
(Photo: Courtesy of Diane Bert)
Beaumont Hospital Royal Oak has a special program in which kind, conscientious volunteers provide compassionate care for patients nearing the end of their life. The program is called No One Dies Alone (NODA).
These volunteers receive training and educational materials to prepare them for service. Beaumont Grosse Pointe, Beaumont Troy and St. Joseph Mercy also have this nationwide program.
The Venerable Kevin Hickey, interim director of pastoral care and palliative care chaplain at Beaumont Royal Oak, established the current program there. It is modeled after the national program established by Sandra Clark, an Oregon care nurse.
“We designed the program which involves non-verbal communication and verbal communication, and emotional and spiritual support,” Hickey notes. “The volunteers provide a compassionate and caring presence. Workers at St. Joe’s gave us support and guidance as we established our program.”
Nurses and doctors suggest NODA for patients who have no family members or friends to be with them in their final days and hours.
Two classes of over 100 volunteers have been conducted. Many volunteers are hospital employees. There are now about 40 active volunteers who have met the requirements of being a hospital volunteer. They are on call for service, usually serving two hour shifts which may involve holding the hands of the patient, soothing rubs of arms or foreheads, reading aloud, playing soothing music, and saying reassuring words.
One volunteer explained, “I am here because I want to give back. Someone sat with my parent in another state when I was unable to be there.”
Bloomfield Township resident Sue Bay has been a volunteer in the hospice unit for 14 years. She helped Hickey design the program, continues to be a volunteer and is a part of NODA.
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“It is a matter of truly caring about their feelings and comfort. It is a powerful experience and very rewarding,” she says. “We can assure them that they have no worries anymore, they can be at peace and move on. I sometimes play hymns or music for them on an IPad or phone. It is a valuable gift to give someone.”
“Sue Bay is an especially fine hospice volunteer. She is an advocate for patients when they are uncomfortable. She comforts them. She is gentle and loving human being who is sensitive to the needs of our NODA patients,” says Diane Scafidi, RN, a nurse on the unit. “She is concerned about nurses, too.”
One of the fine elements of support for the NODA volunteers is a cart containing many helpful materials including hand crocheted donated afghans as a gift to the patient. Kristen Chaulk, RN, also showed resource books on teachings of Jewish, Buddhist, Catholic, Protestant, Native American, and Muslim religions. Also included are rosaries, things to read aloud, a phone charger, music player, battery operated candles, and sanitary wipes. There is also thoughtful addition of snacks and water for the NODA volunteer.
Janet Tretheway is a charge nurse on the hospice unit.
She explains: “NODA is an important program, especially when families are not able to be here due to age, mobility, health problems or estrangement. It is reassuring to families to have someone stay at the bedside of their loved one, listening, talking and providing peace of mind. The program is very beneficial.”
No One Dies Alone is a beautiful, compassionate ministry. The volunteers provide a caring presence assuring death with dignity. Kevin Hickey notes that in previous times, death occurred at home, not in hospitals. Family members were present. Now having family members or NODA volunteers present brings comfort, peace and dignity to patients on their final journey.
Persons interested in learning more about NODA or becoming a volunteer may contact Hickey at 248-551-1338 or by email at kevin.hickey@beaumont.org.
Read or Share this story: https://www.hometownlife.com/story/news/2019/07/23/volunteers-help-make-sure-no-one-dies-alone/1717888001/
Thank you
https://www.hometownlife.com/story/news/2019/07/23/volunteers-help-make-sure-no-one-dies-alone/1717888001/
CLOSE
The Venerable Kevin Hickey, Beaumont Royal Oak Chaplain, nurse manager Kristen Chaulk, and No One Dies Alone volunteer Sue Bay are accompanied by the special cart which volunteers use as they provide compassionate care for patients is the final hours of their life through the No One Dies Alone program. The cart contains hand crocheted afghans, reading materials, and other soothing items for end of life comfort.
(Photo: Courtesy of Diane Bert)
Beaumont Hospital Royal Oak has a special program in which kind, conscientious volunteers provide compassionate care for patients nearing the end of their life. The program is called No One Dies Alone (NODA).
These volunteers receive training and educational materials to prepare them for service. Beaumont Grosse Pointe, Beaumont Troy and St. Joseph Mercy also have this nationwide program.
The Venerable Kevin Hickey, interim director of pastoral care and palliative care chaplain at Beaumont Royal Oak, established the current program there. It is modeled after the national program established by Sandra Clark, an Oregon care nurse.
“We designed the program which involves non-verbal communication and verbal communication, and emotional and spiritual support,” Hickey notes. “The volunteers provide a compassionate and caring presence. Workers at St. Joe’s gave us support and guidance as we established our program.”
Nurses and doctors suggest NODA for patients who have no family members or friends to be with them in their final days and hours.
Two classes of over 100 volunteers have been conducted. Many volunteers are hospital employees. There are now about 40 active volunteers who have met the requirements of being a hospital volunteer. They are on call for service, usually serving two hour shifts which may involve holding the hands of the patient, soothing rubs of arms or foreheads, reading aloud, playing soothing music, and saying reassuring words.
One volunteer explained, “I am here because I want to give back. Someone sat with my parent in another state when I was unable to be there.”
Bloomfield Township resident Sue Bay has been a volunteer in the hospice unit for 14 years. She helped Hickey design the program, continues to be a volunteer and is a part of NODA.
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“It is a matter of truly caring about their feelings and comfort. It is a powerful experience and very rewarding,” she says. “We can assure them that they have no worries anymore, they can be at peace and move on. I sometimes play hymns or music for them on an IPad or phone. It is a valuable gift to give someone.”
“Sue Bay is an especially fine hospice volunteer. She is an advocate for patients when they are uncomfortable. She comforts them. She is gentle and loving human being who is sensitive to the needs of our NODA patients,” says Diane Scafidi, RN, a nurse on the unit. “She is concerned about nurses, too.”
One of the fine elements of support for the NODA volunteers is a cart containing many helpful materials including hand crocheted donated afghans as a gift to the patient. Kristen Chaulk, RN, also showed resource books on teachings of Jewish, Buddhist, Catholic, Protestant, Native American, and Muslim religions. Also included are rosaries, things to read aloud, a phone charger, music player, battery operated candles, and sanitary wipes. There is also thoughtful addition of snacks and water for the NODA volunteer.
Janet Tretheway is a charge nurse on the hospice unit.
She explains: “NODA is an important program, especially when families are not able to be here due to age, mobility, health problems or estrangement. It is reassuring to families to have someone stay at the bedside of their loved one, listening, talking and providing peace of mind. The program is very beneficial.”
No One Dies Alone is a beautiful, compassionate ministry. The volunteers provide a caring presence assuring death with dignity. Kevin Hickey notes that in previous times, death occurred at home, not in hospitals. Family members were present. Now having family members or NODA volunteers present brings comfort, peace and dignity to patients on their final journey.
Persons interested in learning more about NODA or becoming a volunteer may contact Hickey at 248-551-1338 or by email at kevin.hickey@beaumont.org.
Read or Share this story: https://www.hometownlife.com/story/news/2019/07/23/volunteers-help-make-sure-no-one-dies-alone/1717888001/
Thank you
https://www.hometownlife.com/story/news/2019/07/23/volunteers-help-make-sure-no-one-dies-alone/1717888001/