Providence St. Peter Foundation Annual Report 2012

Volunteers hold sacred space at the end of life
Mason County resident James Forest first
became a nurse in 1984. When his grandmother
became ill, he became her primary caregiver.
James says, “I had the privilege of being with my
grandmother when she died, and that experience
left an important mark on my life.” The
experience so profoundly affected him that he
decided to help hospice, serving others in their
end-of-life care.
In 2011, James became a hospice volunteer for
Providence SoundHomeCare & Hospice, which
provides care to people in Thurston, Mason, and
Lewis Counties. Volunteers play many roles,
including giving respite – a small break – three
to four hours a week to caregivers who are caring
for family members. When asked what makes
a successful hospice volunteer, his response is
quick, though somewhat unexpected: “Not being
afraid of the dying process. It’s a natural journey,
and accepting this process reflects a healthy
attitude in our society that is growing.”
James enjoys his volunteer activities. “My
role varies from person to person and family
to family,” he says. Sometimes he sits with a
patient while the family is out, gets groceries,
or helps by reading to the patient. “I fill a need
for the family, whatever that is, and I establish a
relationship with the primary caregiver so they
feel comfortable leaving the home.”
Over 200 Providence hospice volunteers serve
the Thurston, Mason, Lewis county area. Sandy
Powers is the volunteer manager for Providence
Hospice. Additionally, Sandy has about 700
other Providence hospice volunteers in the
Seattle-Everett area. According to Sandy, the
respite program is absolutely essential, “When
we’re exhausted, we aren’t at our best. When we
can give those family members a rest, it helps
them and their loved one.”
Sandy says, “Volunteers, or anyone who is with
someone at the end of life, needs to understand
what being a peaceful presence is all about.
To be a peaceful presence is to sit in the
uncomfortable with another person, without
fixing or curing. To hold that kind of space
requires a lot of inner work.”
James says, “While I was with my grandmother
when she passed away, it doesn’t need to be
family for you to be profoundly affected.” The
11th Hour, respite and comfort care programs at
Providence SoundHomeCare & Hospice are all
supported by generous donations to Providence
St. Peter Foundation.
For information on becoming a hospice
volunteer, contact Hospice at 360.493.4689.
“When we’re exhausted, we aren’t at our best. When we can give those family
members a rest, it helps them and their loved one.”
~Sandy Powers, Providence Hospice Volunteer Manager
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