No One Dies Alone: Local Volunteers Bring Comfort in Life’s Final Moments
Patricia Martellotti
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – For some, the last hours of life can be the loneliest.
“People who don’t have anybody either they’ve aged out of all their family and friends and there’s no one left to sit with them,” said volunteer Nancy McConnell of Hospice of Santa Barbara.
Volunteers in Santa Barbara are changing that.
The No One Dies Alone program trains people to sit with patients who have no family or friends nearby.
“If I can bring some compassionate caring, love and peace to people that are in one of their most times of their lives that feels like I’ve done some service to the world,” said McConnell.
They visit assisted living and memory care homes offering comfort, holding hands, or simply sitting quietly.
“There is so responsive when I suggest that this support is available to the family. I just make a call and they are here on the same day. That’s so reassuring to the families,” said community services director Luciana Mitzkun Weston of Villa Alamar.
NODA volunteers serve exclusively in assisted living and memory care facilities.
“It’s incredibly beneficial to have NODA volunteers, not only for the families for the residence and the patients themselves, but also for the staff of the facilities,” said volunteer services manager Elske Free Bernt of Hospice of Santa Barbara.
The program just renewed a partnership with Hospice of Santa Barbara.Organizers want to expand and reach more patients.
“Nobody knows about this. It’s very rare. They’re like wow this exists so if more people could take advantage of this program,” said McConnell.
Every hand held — every quiet presence — reminds someone they matter.
The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.