10/13/24 Couple who Volunteers Together Share the Same Joy
13 October 2024 News
For the past nine years, Matthew Davis, a Green Lake resident, has been spending a good amount of his days volunteering with SSM Health at Home Hospice – Green Lake.
“A friend of mine mentioned volunteering for hospice telling me that it was the most rewarding thing he had ever done, so I thought I’d give it a try,” according to Matthew.
A handful of stories and memories later, Matthew is still volunteering for SSM Health at Home Hospice – Green Lake, where he helps with medication deliveries, office support and visiting with those who are on their end-of-life journey.
But now, he doesn’t do it alone. In 2023, Matthew’s wife, Becky, also started volunteering for SSM Hospice at Home Hospice in Green Lake.
“I always wanted to be a hospice volunteer,” Becky shares. “I worked in physical therapy for 25 years and had a comfort level with patients I knew some people didn’t have. When a close friend of mine passed away on hospice, I knew it was my time to sign up.”
Matthew and Becky are one of several couples who volunteer in hospice and are a great asset to the Volunteer Services team, as they both visit with several hospice patients a week.
“Helping the clients and their families through this difficult time in their lives is what I enjoy most about my role,” according to Becky. “For most, this is their first time dealing with losing a loved one, but I know what to expect so I let them know their feelings are normal and give insight.”
Matthew enjoys the challenges he faces with some of his assignment because “they are different every day!” However, volunteering together is what helps make some of those challenges easier. While following confidentiality guidelines, the couple likes being able to bounce ideas off each other if they come across something difficult, share their joys and excitements of a companionship visit they made, and even help each other grieve when a patient passes away.
Although hospice may seem like a difficult area to spend your time, Matthew admits he has no regrets. “It’s very humbling and helps you acknowledge ways to improve yourself.”
Becky feels that volunteering for hospice is very rewarding. “It gives you a different perspective on life.”
SSM Health at Home is currently seeking individuals interested in volunteer opportunities with its Hospice program.
The next SSM Health at Home Hospice volunteer training session has been scheduled from 9 am – 12 pm on Thursday, November 7 at both SSM Health Ripon Community Hospital, 845 Parkside Street, or SSM Health at Home Hospice, 239 Trowbridge Drive, Fond du Lac. After training, all volunteers are placed with patients in their own local geographic area. Early application is encouraged.
With three different locations between Green Lake and Fond du Lac, SSM at Home Hospice volunteers have an array of volunteering tasks to choose from – companionship visits with hospice patients, office/clerical duties, medication deliveries, veterans’ program and even serving meals at the Hospice Home of Hope in Fond du Lac. Also, churches or service organizations interested in a presentation or introduction to hospice and its services can contact SSM Health at Home Hospice – Fond du Lac at 920-923-7950, or in Green Lake at 920-294-6220.
To apply or for further details, call Betty Walleser at 920-924-4462 or Kristin Moderow at 920-294-4481.
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