No One Dies Alone ~ Compassionate Companions

Our Lady of Perpetual Help

No One Dies Alone ~ Compassionate Companions

No One Dies Alone

Overview
Death comes frequently in nursing homes, and unfortunately, some residents will die alone. In 2002, Sandra Clarke, a critical care nurse, created a program entitled, "No One Dies Alone", currently offered at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Eugene, OR. Hospital employees from every department volunteer their free time to sit with dying patients who are on their own. She believed that the greatest thing a resident needs is comfort and compassion of someone in this time in their life. Your Nursing Home would like to model this program for their dying residents. You may help by volunteering some of your time in giving life to this philosophy.

WHO MAY HELP
Employees of the Nursing Home and volunteers from the community are invited to participate in "No One Dies Alone". Companions may sign up to be available during one or more weeks of their choosing. Some volunteers choose to serve on the anniversary of the death of a loved one. Others simply choose a week or weeks that are convenient for them.

HOW TO HELP
You do not need nursing skill background in order to be a volunteer. Companions should be willing to hold the hand of the resident, fluff pillows, and assist in comfort care measures as requested by the resident or directed by the health care provider. Even nurses who volunteer for "No One Dies Alone" will not provide actual nursing care during the vigil, but will only assist as a companion.
A companion supply bag will be available with items that can be used for comport care. A CD Player with CD's, lotions, books, and scents for aroma therapy will help provide additional comfort for the resident.

GETTING STARTED
To sign up for this opportunity to serve call 541-767-9817 or 541-942-8461. You will be invited to an orientation for "No One Dies Alone".
All companions must first take part in an orientation session where they will learn the simple art of being compassionately present at the bedside of a dying person.
Once the nursing staff has identified a resident in need of an end-of-life companion, a phone coordinator will check the schedule and activate that week's volunteer teams.

Program Coordinator: Jim VanderPlatt
Phone Contacts: Jan Thompson 942-8461
Lynne Morrow 767-9817

IN GRATITUDE
No On Dies Alone, was founded in 2002 by Sandra Clarke, CCRN, a critical care nurse at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Eugene, OR.
The lonely death of one particular elderly patient led Sandra to establish a volunteer companion program for hospital patients who would other wise die alone. What the encouragement of hospital administrators, Sandra teamed up with others throughout Sacred Heart Medical Center to launch " No One Dies Alone" as a respected program in health care facilities. The program has won several awards and has inspired hospitals around the U.S. and beyond to create similar programs that serve this most essential need.
We thank Sandra for her vision, compassion and commitment. We also acknowledge, with gratitude, the permission she has given others to adapt and establish this program in nursing care facilities.

For more information Contact: Lynne Morrow 767-9817, Jan Thompson 942-8461