Hospice of Washington County values volunteer support for patients, staff

HAGERSTOWN, Md. ( DC News Now ) — The Kiwanis Club of Hagerstown paid special tribute Thursday to the many volunteers who devote time to the Hospice of Washington County.

Being a meaningful volunteer can be as simple as just spending a few hours watching TV with a patient.

When it comes to end-of-life care, it takes people with special compassion. In Washington County, they get a shout-out at the downtown civic club luncheon.

Sara McKay, CEO of Hospice of Washington County, said its patients value companionship.

“It is so meaningful to spend time with patients,” McKay said. “It adds to their quality of life.”

For many hospital patients, it is a matter of having someone around to prevent them from feeling lonely.

“Sometimes they’ll just be companions,” McKay said. “They may not even have to talk to the patient. They may just need to sit there with them and enjoy their company together.”

Volunteers also help with clerical duties and administrative work to give hospice staff a breather.

“They really offset some of the work that our core team does with their patients and families,” McKay said. “They allow our families to step away and take a break so they can focus on their own health and well-being.”

As for preparing for the home stretch of life, Eden Miller with Hospice of Washington County observes that “we don’t have any control over when we go, but we do have control over how we live the rest of our lives, no matter how long.”

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