As a volunteer in the Emergency Department at AdventHealth Parker, Katherine Wiley frequently interacts with patients. But there’s one interaction from the past three years that she will never forget.
She was doing her rounds, offering blankets, water and coffee to the families of patients when she passed the room of a very sick patient who had no visitors. After talking to a nurse, Katherine found out she was an elderly woman who was dying.
“I sat down and started talking to her. I stayed with her, holding her hand, until she passed away,” said Katherine. “I consider it a great blessing that I was able to sit with her in her last moments.”
The patient’s two adult sons had been rushing to get to AdventHealth Parker from Colorado Springs but arrived after their mother passed.
“I introduced myself to them and explained I had been with her when she passed. They both cried and hugged and were so thankful someone had been with her. It was such a profound moment for me.”
That profound moment inspired Katherine to take the lead on launching the No One Dies Alone program at AdventHealth Parker. The program provides compassionate companionship to the dying who have no family or friends. The main goal is to provide one of the most valuable human gifts: a dignified death.
No One Dies Alone volunteers offer end-of-life presence and support by sitting at the patient’s bedside. They can do anything from holding someone’s hands to playing soothing music. Volunteers work in shifts until a patient passes away or a family member arrives. The program does not require any special background or credentials, and you do not need a medical background.
“The beauty of this program is that anyone can do it,” said Katherine. “The only requirement is to be able to sit there and be fully present with the patient. If you have a calling in your heart, we want to talk to you.”
Katherine says there are more patients who need this program than most people would expect.
“There are many different people who may be alone when arriving at the hospital. Some of them are known as elder orphans; all of their friends and family have died, or they just don’t have anyone who can drive to the hospital to be with them. Sometimes we see people who don’t have great relationships with their families. Other times, there are patients who have great relationships with their families but don’t want them to see them die. Or sometimes there are emergency situations like car accidents where no one can be here quickly.”
Right now, the program has about 30 volunteers, but Katherine’s goal is to have more than 100. There are no required number of hours needed to join the program. Volunteers simply give their time as they are able. All volunteers are also given training so they are successful in this amazing ministry.
“It is a simple act of kindness and love to be with someone in their last moments,” said Katherine. “I get so much more than I could ever give by doing this work. I hope that volunteers are touched as deeply as I have been.”
While the No One Dies Alone program is only available at AdventHealth Parker right now, Katherine is already working with representatives from AdventHealth’s four other facilities in the Rocky Mountain Region to help get the program started in other hospitals.
“We all just want to be there for our patients. We are never alone when we are born. We should not be alone when we die.”
If you are interested in becoming a No One Dies Alone volunteer, email [email protected].
Funds for the NODA program are kindly supported through the AdventHealth Parker Foundation. To make a gift or learn more about impactful philanthropy, please email [email protected]. You can also make a gift directly here and note NODA. Every gift counts and all amounts are greatly appreciated. Please join us is in assuring that no one dies alone at AdventHealth Parker.
