Compassionate companions

My trip to Denver was wonderful. I got plenty of writing done while my friend was working. Just think of all I could accomplish if I didn’t have to pay bills!

I returned to Louisville on Saturday—but I took another day of paid time off yesterday in order to attend a volunteer orientation at Hildegard House, Kentucky’s only comfort care home.

What, you may ask, is a comfort care home?

The United States is not very good at end-of-life care (shocker). Hospice is available for those who are fortunate enough to have money and/or time. But where is a dying unhoused person supposed to go? Or what if someone can’t care for their dying parent because they have to work?

Comfort care homes provide a space for those in need to die with dignity at no or low cost. They’re homes with residents—not medical facilities with patients. They work with local hospice professionals to provide necessary medications, and typically volunteers provide everything else, from cleaning to cooking to companionship—although the number of volunteers versus the number of staff varies from home to home.

Hildegard House (named after St. Hildegard, who was, as it turns out, a total badass) relies heavily on volunteers, so that’s where people like me come in. I spent my Wednesday learning more about Hildegard House’s mission and philosophy; despite its name, it has no explicit religious affiliation, and in fact takes much of its philosophy from Buddhism. And I learned more about what my specific duties would be as a Compassionate Companion, of course, from answering the phone to changing briefs.

I was the youngest volunteer in my orientation group by decades; many of the folks who volunteer are retired and come during the day. But I’m planning to help out during some of the evening shifts, 5-10 p.m. I know it sounds strange, but I’m looking forward to spending quality time with Boomers, since most of my own personal Boomers are, uh…dead. I could use some Big Parent Energy in my life.

My first shadowing shift is next week. I can’t wait!

Would you like to volunteer at a comfort care home? The Omega Home Network has a map of locations in the U.S. I’ll also add the map to the resources page in case you or someone you know needs these services.

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My dead parents are going to the library

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Wills and trusts and intestacy, oh my