Hospice Aide Dominique Fulse

Hospice Aide Finds Purpose in Compassionate Elder Care

No one should have to spend their older years alone, especially around joyous occasions like holidays. That belief led me to a career in elder care.

I had an exceptionally close relationship with my grandparents growing up, even living with them for a time. Unfortunately, my grandfather's health began failing when I was in middle school. Though it didn't seem significant at the time, I now recognize he likely felt isolated staying home alone during festive family gatherings. After he passed away, that realization really stuck with me - I was able to enjoy those celebrations carefree as a child, while he may have felt sad being apart from loved ones. I decided then that I wanted to dedicate my work to serving the elderly.

A Calling to Compassionate Care

For the past 12 years, I've been a home health aide, joining the Care Dimensions hospice team about 6 months ago after recognizing my passion for end-of-life care. I find it more fulfilling than traditional caregiving roles. Not only am I taking care of the patient, but I’m also supporting the entire family through an extraordinarily difficult time. I'm invited into their homes and lives, accompanying all of them through their journey.

What I cherish most is the opportunity to truly get to know my patients and build meaningful relationships with them. While much of my day involves personal care tasks, I also get to spend unhurried quality time with them: listening to music, reminiscing over family pictures, or simply sharing laughter together. Establishing trust is an important part of my role as a hospice aide.

"When you love what you do, it doesn't feel like work."

People often ask me how I can work in hospice. My answer: because it doesn't feel like work. Each day, I get to spend time with individuals who feel like extended family or wise friends. Of course, the job comes with challenges, especially when losing someone you've grown close to, but we're all human, and sharing so much time together creates sincere connections.

If you're considering hospice care for a loved one, don't be afraid. There are countless compassionate professionals ready to help navigate your journey every step of the way. In my experience, more families could benefit from signing up for hospice.

Want to learn more about working at Care Dimensions? Visit our Careers page to learn about job opportunities.