Clearfield Hospital Hospice volunteer Don Dinant of Morrisdale, right, provided support to Ruth Wooster, center, and Lois Knepp, left, during the illness and passing of their loved one, Samuel Wooster, shown in the photo the women are holding. Mr. Dinant continues his friendship with them through the hospice bereavement program.
Men, women and teens interested in becoming a hospice volunteer and would like to be compassionate friends to hospice patients and their families should contact Dana Wilson at (814) 768-2007 or e-mail dwilson@clearfieldhosp.org.
He enjoyed square dancing with his wife of more than 50 years, Ruth, and they performed with other square dancers at the Clearfield County Fair and at the state farm show.
"He was a wonderful husband and father," Mrs. Wooster of Clearfield said.
In his final years, Mr. Wooster fell victim to Alzheimer's disease. His wife and daughter, Lois Knepp, her parents' primary caretaker, did everything they could to care for him during his illness. But in the last weeks of his life, Mrs. Wooster and Mrs. Knepp turned to Clearfield Hospital Hospice for support.
Hospice is a team-oriented approach for quality, end-of life palliative care, pain management and emotional and spiritual support expressly tailored to the patient's wishes. Support is also extended to the patient's family and loved ones.
"Hospice was a blessing. I'm so glad they were here for us," Mrs. Wooster said.
While the hospice nurses and aides tended to Mr. Wooster's health and personal care needs, hospice volunteer Don Dinant of Morrisdale was called on to provide friendship to Mr. Wooster and his family.
Hospice volunteers
According to Dana Wilson, hospice volunteer coordinator, hospice volunteers like Mr. Dinant take care of whatever needs to be done, whether it is office work, fund-raisers or helping patients directly by visiting with them, running errands or helping them with household chores.
Many times, volunteers are called on to provide respite for a patient's family. For example, Mr. Dinant stayed with Mr. Wooster while Mrs. Knepp took her mother to the doctor's office.
"It was sometimes hard to talk to my dad because of how the disease affected him. A lot of people would shy away because they didn't know what to say. But Don would try and get a conversation going; he worked hard to communicate with dad," Mrs. Knepp said.
Though Mr. Wooster passed away more than a year ago, Mr. Dinant continues his friendship with Mrs. Wooster and Mrs. Knepp through the hospice bereavement program.
"The days can be long, so it's comforting to have someone like Don to talk to and who cares. It's nice to have someone to lean on," Mrs. Wooster said.
Mrs. Knepp added, "Don has been a godsend. I don't know what we would have done without him."
Making a difference
Mr. Dinant said families like the Woosters who show great love and compassion for others inspire him.
"My life ambition has always been to try and make a difference in the lives of others. We all have many opportunities to help. Hospice is providing me with this opportunity when it really counts – to help those with life-limiting illnesses and their families. My goal is to help patients in every way possible with the transition taking place in their lives," he said.
Pauline Bennett of Curwensville is another hospice volunteer who pours her heart into helping patients. She was inspired to serve as a hospice volunteer after she came in contact with the hospice team during her mother's illness in 2001.
"My mother was on hospice for about a week, and even though it was a short time, hospice made a huge impact. They were there for me and I wanted to do something to give back," she said.
Through her work as a hospice volunteer, Mrs. Bennett is making a huge impact of her own. She spends time with hospice patients, especially during mealtimes because she says the patients seem to eat better if they have company.
Mrs. Bennett recently received a letter from Pat Gallagher of Maryland whose aunt, Grace Manjack, was a hospice patient until her passing earlier this year. Mrs. Bennett developed a friendship with Mrs. Manjack through volunteering.
Mrs. Gallagher's letter states, in part, "Just wanted to thank you again for your loving, gracious and giving of yourself to our Aunt Grace. Her life ended with a calm thought knowing she had comfort in your being there. Your thoughtfulness to those who need care has instilled in me that I might like to join hospice when I retire … Again, thank you for all your efforts and kindness to Aunt Grace, from what she would tell me she appreciated you so much."
On being a hospice volunteer
Mrs. Bennett said a friend recently asked if being a hospice volunteer ever made her feel depressed. Her reply?
"Not really because I am reminded almost daily by a smile, a touch of a hand or a few words that I have made a difference in someone's day. Therefore, spending time with them is a blessing in my life," Mrs. Bennett said.
Mr. Dinant added, "Everyone wants to live their life with respect and dignity even in troubled times when they are frightened, confused and angry. A simple squeeze of the hand is like a big hug to them. It tells them you care. Helping others is important to me."
Ms. Wilson said that National Volunteer Week, April 27-May 3, is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the contributions of volunteers and to encourage others to join the hospice volunteer program.
"I have worked side by side with hospice volunteers who devote their time, and their hearts, to the patients and their families. They are truly angels on Earth and they put a great amount of love into their service to others. We're always in need of volunteers and encourage others to open their hearts to hospice," Ms. Wilson said.
Volunteers needed
Clearfield Hospital Hospice serves a seven-county area, including parts of Blair, Cambria, Elk, Indiana and Jefferson counties, as well as all of Centre and Clearfield counties.
There is a particular need for patient care volunteers in Clearfield, Curwensville, Grampian, DuBois, Houtzdale, Philipsburg, Frenchville and State College.
Men, women and teens interested in becoming a hospice volunteer and would like to be compassionate friends to hospice patients and their families should contact Ms. Wilson at (814) 768-2007 or e-mail dwilson@clearfieldhosp.org.
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