NHPCO NewsLine Summer 2019 - 25

Death and dying can be emotionally
fraught, traumatic, and regularly
occurs in fast-paced clinical
settings, like hospital emergency
rooms. In the Hollywood version
that most of us have seen on TV,
death is a dramatic, high-energy,
race against time and fate.
Emergency room physicians, like the
one I portray [on NBC's Chicago
Med], juggle the emotional and
physical twists and turns that
accompany serious illnesses and
injuries that have befallen our
fictional patients.
But death, dying, and the end-oflife journey, in truth, are often so
much more. Like birth, being with
someone when they are dying is
walking with them into the next
phase of life. Thinking of death as a
process of life makes it that much
less scary. Death can be beautiful,
peaceful, and spiritual. It can be
without pain and procedures. It can
be a process of living each day
normally - surrounded by friends,
family, pets and beloved pastimes
- savoring the elements that make
up the human experience.
When I started volunteering with
hospice at just 24 years old, many of
my friends and family questioned
what I was doing- what would I
have in common with older people?
Wouldn't the experience be sad and
depressing? To the contrary. I've
found connecting and sharing with
hospice patients to be inspiring.

I've had the privilege of hearing
honest and vulnerable stories as I
sat with someone at their bedside.
As individuals at the end of life face
this transition, they like to share
stories and give advice. I've come to
realize too the stories they share
are always about the people they'd
loved and the places they've gone
- never about professional
accomplishments. I've also come to
recognize the gift of listening is the
best thing I can offer - and it has
given me so much more in return.
Volunteers are crucial to hospice
organizations. Nationwide, more
than 300,000 people give their
time and talents so that no one has
to die alone. Volunteers serve as
important support, so patients and
families can stay connected to their
"normal" lives and the things they
love most. Hospice volunteers
provide companionship,
conversation, and help patients
remain active in their daily activities
- like church or social clubs.
Volunteers also help provide a
break for family caregivers so that
they can rest from the demands of
their loved one's illness.

For more than 30 years, hospice
care has provided Americans with
options for their end-of-life care. It
offers a holistic approach that
treats the entire patient - not just
his or her illness. It supports both
the patient and the family -
physically, spiritually, and
emotionally - at a time when
resources are depleted, and stress
runs high.
Hospice can't eliminate fear,
uncertainty and drama from one of
life's most difficult circumstancesbut with the ongoing support of
dedicated volunteers - it can
provide a happy, fulfilling
denouement better than any
Hollywood ending.

Torrey DeVitto, is currently
starring in the television drama,
Chicago Med, on NBC. She has
been NHPCO's first official Hospice
Ambassador since 2007. In 2013
she was awarded the Buchwald
Spirit Award for her efforts to raise
awareness of hospice and the
important role of volunteering.

Although I've found one-on-one
interactions to be the most
fulfilling, not all hospice volunteers
provide direct patient care. Local
hospice organizations are always in
need of dedicated and
compassionate individuals who are
willing to help with administrative
support or assist by preparing
meals, assisting with household
chores, and running errands.

Newsline / Summer 2019

25
NHPCO NewsLine Summer 2019

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