By Olivia O. Ly-Pieknik

"You are so brave. I could not deal with it", a friend commented when I explained the reason I was not able to attend an event with her because I already committed to a training schedule to be a hospice volunteer. My response was, "I am not brave. I just wanted to give back." Furthermore, as first generation Vietnamese-Chinese American, I recognize that I could effectively serve Asian American patients and their families who might face language and cultural barriers. 

With the holidays approaching, the loss of loved ones or facing a life-limiting illness could be extremely difficult for patients and their families. My Dad passed away almost two years ago, but the pain is still fresh in my heart. Being with my Dad during the last week of his life while he was under hospice care has taught me that hospice programs are more than just about dying. Hospice care affirms and cherishes life, helping patients and their loved ones live each day to the fullest. 

I witnessed how my Dad was able to remain alert while the pain of cancer significantly reduced through symptom management. I am forever grateful for the care at Metropolitan Hospice of Greater New York assisting my Dad to die with dignity. We appreciated the hospice team of physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains and many others provided support to my family. Hospice care is about the end-of-life support the patients need and helping the families coping with the grief and the healing process.

While the majority of hospice patients remain at home, some reside in nursing homes or in a hospital setting. Hospice is not one particular place. It is a philosophy of care. The hospice ministry is devoted to bringing a gentle, human touch to individuals with a terminal illness. Hospice care is provided by a team-oriented group of specially trained professionals, volunteers and family members. Hospice focuses on comfort, not cure. Hospice care neither prolongs life nor hastens death. The goal of Hospice is to improve the quality of each patient's last days by offering comfort and dignity. 

Hospice offers volunteers a variety of activities to choose from. The volunteers will decide which service he/she would participate according to his/her experience, training and comfort level. Volunteers can assist in a wide range of activities including patient care, administrative support, special events, fundraising and bereavement.

Patient care volunteers provide companionship to patients, perform simple or occasional household tasks, visit with the patient who may not have family in the area, or simply to be there so the patient will not feel lonely. Volunteers help the patient and family cope with impending death as well as companionship and emotional/spiritual support. Simple tasks such as being with the patients, to hold a hand and listen, to read to patients who no longer be able to see, to step in when a family member needs a break from emotional toll caring for their loved one, 

Administrative support volunteers provide assistance with mass mailing campaigns, answer phones at the office and other clerical tasks as needed.

Special events and fund raising volunteers provide community outreach, give presentations to interested groups, assist with planning fundraising activities, and participate in the annual "Angels Among Us" Holiday Event.

Bereavement volunteers provide follow-up to families in the form of phone calls or personal visits during the time of grief and assist with bereavement monthly support mailings. Volunteers are needed to offer comfort for the families after their loved one had passed away.

Nationwide, more than 150,000 volunteers provide over 16 million hours of service annually to individuals with terminal illness and their families. All volunteers must attend an 18-hour classroom of training before participating as a member of a care-giving team of doctors, nurses, social workers and chaplains. To learn more about how you could help, call Unity Health Hospice office at (314) 729-4400 or logon to Unity's website at www.unityhealthhospice.org or contact any hospice programs in your community. Hospice is more than the end of life, it helps the patients and families celebrate life and treasure the memories they have created. Be an angel to someone, be a hospice volunteer - - it will be the most rewarding experience in your life!

Items such as "Angels Among Us" t-shirt, sweatshirts, necklaces are available for purchasing at St. John's Mercy Medical Center on New Ballas Road.