FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com NOVEMBER 3, 2016 • HEALTH • THE COURIER SUN 37 bestof.qns.com Nominated for A QUEENS COURIER AND QNS.COM CONTEST Best Home Health Aides Vote for Us! AWARD WINNING SHORT-TERM REHABILITATION! 2013 Little Neck Care Center OUR SERVICES: • Newly Renovated Facility • State-of-the-Art Rehabilitation • 24-Hour Nursing Care • Onsite Wound Care and IV Therapy • Post-Surgical and Joint Replacement • Pain Management • 24-Hour On-Call Physicians • We Speak a Variety of Languages AMENITIES: • Spacious, Bright and Modern Rooms • Flat Screen TVs And WiFi • Recreational Activities • Beauty/Barber Services • Daily Laundry and Housekeeping • Newspaper and Mail Services • 24/7 Security • Concierge Services New Orthopedic Rehabilitation Program Led By Our Orthopedic Surgeon www.LittleNeckCareCenter.com What it means to be a Volunteer with Hospice of New York By Sandra Nielsen In my six years as a Volunteer Coordinator, I have had the privilege of working with some of the most incredible and compassionate volunteers. Our volunteers are a very diverse population and come from all walks of life. We try to place volunteers with patients that may share interests or have something in common. Sometimes it works out that way and sometimes the most unlikely paring turns out that they each learn from the other and have a very meaningful relationship. In the end, people need people. One thing they all have in common is their desire to help people in their time of need and having very big hearts. I take pleasure in reading and hearing about the experiences that the volunteers have while visiting with patients. It is often said that the Volunteers get more from their experience of visiting with patients than they ADVERTORIAL John Barr give. I would like to share with you some of their experiences. John Barr has been volunteering with Hospice of New York for about 1 year. John is a veteran and served in the Middle East. He is currently pursuing his Master’s Degree in Social Work at Fordham University. Sandra Hollingsworth John has had 2 long term patients and one that was very short term. His first patient was in a Nursing Home in Manhattan. His patient was a professor and they both had some of the same interests such as philosophy, ancient Greece and psychoanalysis. The patient was in the process of writing a book and could no longer type and John would assist him in doing so. They both enjoyed each other’s company and would have great discussions about their interests. His next patient was a home patient and a young man that was near the end of his life. This patient liked to play video games and he and John would do that together. When he could no longer communicate, John became a real comfort to the patient’s father. Though the patient died, John still keeps in touch with his father. John’s current patient has a form of Parkinson’s disease. Here is what John wrote about his patient: “The patient is a very kind, thoughtful and intelligent man. From what he told me, he is well supported by his husband, Paul, and their many friends, and his family that are nearby upstate. He spoke at length about his condition. We shared our professional background to further establish a connection. Pastoral care arrived during out visit, so I sat while they talked. Mike is very funny. He is quick to see the humor in things, but worried that he might be just covering up his true feelings. I told him while that may be true; humor is the most advanced coping mechanism. He seemed to appreciate that. I look forward to meeting with him again.” John has been visiting Michael for about 6 months and they have become very good friends. As his illness progresses, John has been very supportive to Michael and his family. The relationship has benefited them both. John states that the patient is an inspiration to him. Sandra Hollingsworth is a veteran volunteer and has been with Hospice of New York for over 15 years. Sandra prefers to see patients in the home setting and has helped numerous patients and families through the years. Sandra works in the Health Care Business. Sandra is also someone who always participates in our Volunteer Trainings and trains new volunteers in the field. Here is what Sandra has to say about her current patient: “My patient was watching television when I arrived. He was excited to see me. After the patient had his supper, he played the harmonica, Isn’t She Lovely, by Stevie Wonder. Then his daughter sang Pennies from Heaven, as the patient accompanied her on his harmonica. The daughter then took me downstairs to show me the patient’s paintings and musical instruments. The patient is a man of many talents. It was a lovely relaxing visit for me and I am looking forward to visiting again.” Every experience is new and different and very beneficial to both the patient and the volunteer. Join us and become part of the Hospice of New York Family. For more information on volunteering at Hospice of New York email Sandra. Nielsen@hospice.nyc or Angela.Purpura@hospice.nyc. of the THE QUEENS QueensCourier.com 260-19 Nassau Blvd., Little Neck, NY 11362 Tel. 718-423-6400 • Fax 718-428-0737 ACCEPTING MEDICARE, MEDICAID, AND MOST HMOs
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