A few hours of treasured time in a given week or month can make a world of difference to hospice patients and their families — opening up a chance for a heart-to-heart conversations, memories made while playing a card game or basking outside in the sunshine, or allowing a caregiver a much-needed hour to run errands or just to freshen up and recharge their batteries.
Universal Home Health & Hospice Care hosted a volunteer recognition dinner Thursday evening, April 24, at Otterbein Green Hills SeniorLife Community to honor these local individuals who generously give of their time and talents to make life better for hospice patients and their loved ones.
Volunteers of all ages attended the dinner from the counties served by Universal Home Health & Hospice Care: Logan, Hardin, Champaign and Union counties.
Hospice exists to provide help and support for those faced with an incurable disease for which there is no treatment, or for those who have decided to discontinue treatment that is causing more physical distress than benefit. Hospice can make it possible for patients to remain at home where most prefer to be, and still access skilled physical, emotional, spiritual and volunteer support.
Karen Schlingof, director of hospice, said having volunteers is absolutely imperative to hospice care, and also is a requirement of Medicaid. From January to March of 2025, volunteers logged just over 51 hours, about 4.5 percent of the clinical hours provided by medical staff.
“We couldn’t do what we do without volunteers. You bring that important personal and community connection. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” Schlingof said.
The director of hospice shared about the seemingly simple acts of hospice volunteers that can be enriching and transforming for the patients they serve.
Recently, they had a patient who had been married to their spouse for 72 years, and the couple wanted to plan enjoyable “bucket list” type activities to do each week, with help from volunteers. While the patient wanted to attend a hockey game, a tabletop hockey game became part of weekly activities. Outdoor adventures and local excursions were also part of the fun for the couple, who forged memories together that will be treasured by their family.
Also during the past year, hospice volunteers, including Holley Howard from Mt. Victory, helped a young hospice patient enjoy a trip to Marmon Valley Farm, which was inspiring to the youngster and everyone in attendance during the outing.
“I don’t feel like I’ve ever been more spoiled,” the young patient told the volunteers and hospice staff.
“Hospice isn’t all sadness and tears,” Schlingof said while sharing pictures from the trip to the farm. “You really add so much to people’s lives through your kindness.”
Attendees detailed a variety of reasons why they decided to become hospice volunteers, including West Liberty resident Kathy McClure, who began serving in this capacity about 15 years ago after she lost her husband.
“My husband was in hospice down in Dayton, and they were so good to us; it was incredible. I had to find a way to give back,” McClure said.
“It’s been such a rewarding experience. One of the patients I got to know was in hospice for a whole year, and we played Yahtzee together each week. And to our pleasant surprise, she got better and eventually was out of hospice. I gained a wonderful friend.”
A little over a year ago, Howard said she picked up a hospice volunteer pamphlet from Universal Home Health & Hospice Care at her church and it sparked her interest. She already is a regular visitor at area nursing homes, stopping by with treats and to spread cheer with her father. So it gave her added purpose to join in as a hospice volunteer as well.
“I’ve gotten to know a number of families, already in the past 13 months,” Howard said. “I’m so grateful for the opportunity, and although it can be hard when we lose a patient, it’s wonderful to know that we made a difference in their life.”
Hospice volunteers also make a big impact on two bereavement programs for children and teens in the community — Camp Echo for teens ages 14 and older and Camp Braveheart for ages 6-13. Both free camps take place at Marmon Valley Farm and are supported by the United Way of Logan County.
Registrations are still open for both programs, with the deadline quickly approaching for Camp Echo. To sign up, visit uhcinc.org/camp.
Camp Echo takes place the weekend of May 16-18 and is an overnight camp. Camp Braveheart is set for June 4-6 and is a daytime program.
Goals for the programs are to: normalize (it is OK to grieve and everyone grieves differently); connect (you are not alone — other kids have experienced loss too); and have fun (learning to have fun again is part of the healing).
Volunteer Alicia Vermillion of Alger said she first got involved because her mother, Donna Yaussy, is a longtime hospice nurse. However, she more recently was affected by the loss of her own grandparents, and said she has felt an even deeper connection with the campers and the need for these youth bereavement programs.
Among the campers in these programs in 2024, 24 had lost a parent, while 12 had lost a grandparent and seven campers had lost multiple people close to them. Several others also had lost a sibling, a cousin or an aunt/uncle.
Universal Home Health & Hospice Care is looking for additional hospice volunteers to serve in a variety of capacities. Volunteers go through an orientation program, and there are opportunities to help behind-the-scenes and directly with patients and families.
To find out more about volunteering, visit https://www.uhcinc.org/ and click the “make a difference” link or call the Bellefontaine office at (937) 593-1603.
