I believe this program has allowed me to grow in my understanding of palliative care. I am extremely grateful to have been able to participate in the Athena Hospice Volunteer program.
Before entering the program, I had no exposure to nursing homes or the world of palliative care. I have not had any family members or family friends in palliative care, so I did not know what to expect. I thought that it would be a rewarding experience to offer company and companionship to elderly patients, especially those in memory care, who may just need the comfort of someone by their side.
Through my experience in hospice care, I have learned a tremendous amount about the workings of a nursing home and end-of-life care. One of my most poignant memories in hospice care was with a patient who was in the memory care unit of the nursing home. He had Alzheimer’s disease. When we were visiting, he was not present, and he seemed to be in pain. I had never met someone with Alzheimer’s disease before, so our introduction opened my eyes to this debilitating disease. While we were visiting, the patient’s wife was also there. She introduced herself to us, and she was very happy we were there. The patient’s wife told us about his life before this disease slowly stripped him away from his own mind. She pointed out pictures of him on the outside of his room, pictures of him with grandchildren and children, and she told us something I will always remember. She said that these photos were a reminder of the person he was before this debilitating disease took him away. I was very touched by this moment. She told us that she and her husband had been married for almost sixty years, which also struck a cord with me, because my grandparents have been married for that long. This moment was very special to me, and it made me realize the importance of patient care and the impact of these diseases on the family members of the patients.
After this and my other experiences at hospice care, I have affirmed my decision to pursue health care in my future career. I have also wanted to pursue a career in medical research in the future. I think witnessing the toll that aging and diseases take on a person and their loved ones has made me even more committed to this goal in the future. I want to work towards advancing the future of healthcare so that people do not have to suffer in their old age, and so that they can live and die at peace. I really have enjoyed connecting with patients and hearing their stories, either from themselves or their family members. To me, this is the most rewarding part of medical care; connecting with patients in meaningful ways, and giving them treatments or support to alleviate their suffering. I feel very grateful to have this experience. I am even more committed to a future in medicine and patient care. I can not wait to have my own patients, and I have now learned how to form meaningful relationships with patients through this program.