Jansen Hospice Thanks Volunteers

Jansen Hospice honored their hospice volunteers at a special summer luncheon – a perfect way to celebrate some of the most important people in the Jansen Hospice program. Laura Hanlon, Jansen Hospice Volunteer and Bereavement Coordinator, organized the lunch at The Old Stone Mill in Tuckahoe to thank the volunteers for the value they bring to Jansen Hospice.

The afternoon was a well-deserved break for the volunteers who dedicate so much time to Jansen, even before they begin visiting patients. To become a volunteer, people must undergo a five-week training program that prepares them for serving terminally ill patients. They explore new topics each week with the medical, nursing, counseling, and pastoral professionals of Jansen Hospice, and learn from other volunteers. Lori Lahn's experience in the training program was essential for her transformation into a hospice volunteer. Lori admits, "I was initially hesitant. I didn't know if I could go and visit dying patients. Then a fellow volunteer brought in a book that helped my understanding of the dying process, and restored my confidence in what I was doing. I am very thankful she brought in the book." For Lori, and others, time spent with Jansen staff and other volunteers is a necessary step to move to the next level of providing support for patients and their families.

Once training is complete, volunteers travel throughout Westchester to visit patients and give whatever they can to help out. Emely Scioli has been a Jansen volunteer for six years and says, "Whenever I go see a patient I ask for guidance about what they want most, and you have to just open yourself up. By the end of my visits I'm mentally exhausted from giving as much as I possibly can. And that's the best part. I have so much love to give, and it feels good to transfer it to my patients." Emely puts her own needs out of the way when she visits patients, and believes conversation and communication is fundamental to the volunteer-patient relationship. In fact, after one of Emely's patients suffered a stroke and reverted back to her native language of Spanish, Emely took Spanish lessons so they could continue to understand each other. Many volunteers believe communication and ongoing support is the core of hospice, and they're ready to dedicate their time and energy towards the wellbeing of the Jansen patients, and their families.

The Jansen volunteers go above and beyond in what they do, and Laura Hanlon wanted their dedication to be recognized. At the luncheon, Laura told the volunteers, "Thank you for volunteering because you want to, for being caring, for bringing life experiences to what you do, and most importantly, for bringing comfort to the patients and families that you visit." Most days, Jansen volunteers are so busy "doing what they can" for other people that they don't have a chance to think about the wonderful contribution they make to the community. The luncheon was a day for the hospice volunteers to get together, enjoy, and celebrate themselves.

Jansen Hospice is located in Scarsdale and provides service to patients and families throughout Westchester county. If you are interested in becoming a Jansen Hospice volunteer, please contact Laura Hanlon at 914-787-6158.