No One Dies Alone
Seven years ago, a Catholic hospital in Eugene, Ore., launched a program that was so simple, it’s hard to believe no one had thought of it before: If terminal patients are facing their last hours with no family or friends around, why not have a volunteer sit beside them to provide spiritual comfort?
Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, adopted in 2007 the “No One Dies Alone†program, now called Compassionate Care for the Dying. United Methodist laywoman Denice Foose is the hospital’s bereavement coordinator who supervises volunteers. She talked recently with staff writer Bill Fentum.
When my mom got very ill with breast cancer I paid some ladies to be there round the clock if I were at work. Fortunately, she passed at 5:45 Christmas morning while I lay sleeping next to her bed.