Care Dimensions hospice volunteer Nancy Moore visits George Merritt at his assisted living residence on Mondays to allow George’s wife to participate in organized activities.

Volunteer: ‘It’s Nice to Know I’m Making a Difference’

When Nancy Moore retired from her job as an inventory specialist with a medical device company in 2021, she wanted to stay busy, but on her terms. 

“As an essential worker during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was extremely busy, stressed, and ready for retirement when the option became available,” said Nancy, a Danvers resident. “I wanted to slow down but I wanted to make meaningful use of my time.”

Her mother-in-law and a friend were living in nursing homes, so Nancy, her husband, Bob, and their yellow Labrador Retriever, Callie, visited them often. Nancy liked seeing how much their visits comforted her friend and mother-in-law. She decided to explore volunteer opportunities that involved the elderly or animals and came across a listing by Care Dimensions.

Hospice volunteer training

Nancy signed up for hospice volunteer training, which Care Dimensions conducts virtually over Zoom.

“The classes were very informative, and I learned so much,” recalled Nancy. “I especially enjoyed hearing from Care Dimensions staff who gave examples of encounters with hospice patients in nursing homes and how to treat them with respect. I learned something from everybody who spoke to our group – nurses, social workers, chaplains. I also liked hearing from other volunteers who shared stories about their loved ones who had hospice. Everybody left something in my heart.”

Prior to the training, Nancy held a common misconception about hospice – that it is only for people at the very end of life. The previous Christmas, she had visited a friend’s husband who was receiving end-of-life care at the Kaplan Family Hospice House.

“I saw how much care the staff devote to the patients at the Kaplan House,” said Nancy. “I also learned the importance of being present. A patient may be quietly lying in their bed, but they hear you and often want someone at their side.”

By the end of the four-week volunteer training, Nancy was eager to meet patients who had requested volunteer visits. She wanted to see patients in long-term care facilities, as she had done with her mother-in-law and friend.

Volunteer visits help husband and wife

Lately, Nancy has been visiting 79-year-old hospice patient, George Merritt, who resides with his wife, Joyce, in an assisted living apartment at Benchmark Senior Living at Putnam Farm in Danvers. George and Joyce use wheelchairs, but Joyce is more engaged in activities at the facility.

“Joyce wanted someone to stay with George so she could participate in activities while knowing her husband was safe,” said Nancy. “I learned that we all like to gamble and even took the same charters to Atlantic City, NJ, and Las Vegas, NV. I usually visit George on Monday afternoons so Joyce can attend Bingo.”

“Nancy is a blessing,” said Joyce. “I trust her to be with George. She takes the best care of him and is sweet to both of us.”

George didn’t say much during Nancy’s initial visits but opened up when she learned he likes to talk about the Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, and New England Patriots.  

“We talk about whatever Boston sports teams are playing,” said George, who was captain of his basketball team at Pentucket Regional High School and a member of the football team. “Nancy makes me feel good. She’s nice and friendly and I like her company,” George added.

As the days turned warmer, Nancy convinced George to let her take him for walks outside – something that he never did before Nancy began visiting. “She asks what I want to do, and we go outside more often,” said George. “I enjoy that.”

“I look forward to going over there and making their lives a little happier,” said Nancy. “When I arrive, I speak with Joyce for a bit, and ask George if he wants to go out after I get back from taking his wife to Bingo. Sometimes he’s hesitant, but usually when I return to the apartment, he’s waiting for me and ready to go. It makes me happy that I can make them happy.”

Plenty of precautions

The COVID-19 pandemic hit long-term facilities particularly hard, but Nancy has no hesitation about seeing patients there.

“I worked through it at my former company and wore a mask for one and a half years,” recalled Nancy, who is fully vaccinated and boosted. “I am used to washing my hands often. It became a habit. When I go into a facility, I feel safe as long as I have my mask on.”

Becoming a hospice volunteer for Care Dimensions has been a perfect fit for Nancy during retirement.

“Every person I have met in the company – from volunteers at the Kaplan House front desk to the volunteer coordinators to clinical staff – all are such nice people and make me feel so comfortable. Care Dimensions is a great organization and provides vital services for so many, regardless of a person’s ability to pay. It’s so nice to be part of that and know that I’m making a difference for someone like George.”

Learn about becoming a hospice volunteer with Care Dimensions.

About the author
Lisa Conti is Senior Marketing Communications Specialist for Care Dimensions and manages its Voices of Care blog.