School: Swarthmore

Since starting the Hospice program with Athena, I have learned a lot about what end of life care really is. In September of 2024 I met “Mr. Smith” playing bingo at a table in the lounge of his senior living facility. It had been awhile since I had interacted with someone of his age, especially … Continue reading “Finding The Joy Again”

This past year, I have had the pleasure of visiting “Sarah”, a hospice patient with Alzheimer’s disease. Learning of her diagnosis was scary to learn at first, as I have a grandmother who has Alzheimer’s, and she can be very aggressive as a result. I was also warned that Sarah Alzheimer’s can make her aggressive. … Continue reading “Hospice doesn’t mean hopeless”

When I think of my most meaningful patient relationship, I think of my first patient, “Jane Doe”, who had a gentle soul but powerful presence. The first time we met, I leaned in to hear her ask for my name, and after I introduced myself, she responded with a warm smile. For the remainder of … Continue reading “Healing with Humanity”

During my time volunteering with the Athena Hospice Program, I have been paired with only one patient. I have had the opportunity to make weekly visits to this same patient over the course of the semester and I feel like I have truly gotten to know this individual and make an impact, however small, on … Continue reading “The Beauty of Life”

The first thing that came out of my mouth every Friday at 3 pm was, “Hey “Joseph”, what are you working on today?” Little did I know that behind that bathroom door lay a world of colorful glass and profound wisdom, waiting to shape my understanding of life and purpose. “Joseph”, a 93-year-old man I … Continue reading “Through the Stained Glass: Lessons in Life and Purpose from Hospice Care”

The ability to make a connection with someone and listen to their story, passions, and experiences has always been a favorite of mine. Though my time with my patient “Thomas” was short, it was one of my favorite experiences of this school year. “Thomas” was a wonderful and caring soul! The love and energy he … Continue reading “Year-End Reflection”

“Mom, I’m going to be a hospice volunteer next year.” I was met with worried eyes and a solemn face. “’Mira’, isn’t that going to be burdensome? I mean, you’ll have to deal with death.” Yes, but so does everyone. When I decided to become a hospice volunteer, I knew that it certainly wouldn’t be … Continue reading “The Conclusion”

In my culture, discussing death is taboo. These conversations are typically reserved for older individuals. Young people like me are obliged to avoid this topic due to its perceived scariness. However, my perspective on this difficult subject has changed drastically after volunteering in the Athena hospice program. For instance, through the program’s training, group discussions, … Continue reading “Shifting Perspective on Death: Good Death”

Going into this Hospice experience I lacked confidence and felt uncertainty over my ability to provide patients comfort and then deal with their looming death on my own. Every visit I have with my patient – “Rebecca” – has allowed me to realize that my shortcomings were only a reflection of preconceived notions. Going in … Continue reading “End-of-life Care Does Not Look the Same for Everyone”

I have had three patients during my time under Compassus. During the fall semester, I spent many hours getting to know “Beth” and “Rachel”. Rachel had the most beautiful laugh and although communicating was difficult, I was able to learn so many fascinating things about her life before she graduated from hospice. I became close … Continue reading “Growth of a New Passion”