For over 20 years, Mary Ann has been a volunteer in the Cynthiana area. As a former nurse, she saw firsthand how hospice can be a valuable resource for patients living with a serious illness. For many of those years, she visited patients in their home providing companionship, respite care for their caregivers and 11^th hour visits.

“I visited patients weekly for many, many months. Some visits were much more to help the caregiver than the patient,” said Mary Ann. “So often the caregiver just needs someone to talk to, to connect with, and that’s what I try to give. I try to help them find peace.”

Mary Ann recalls one special patient. “We connected because he was from New York, and that is where I am from. I used to sit with him while his wife went to work or went shopping. He was the nicest gentleman. Most of the time he slept, but we would talk occasionally. I told him he didn’t have to wake up.”

“One day, his nurse called me to say he was dying and not going to make it. I drove out there, and he had been nonresponsive. I walked into the house, and when he heard my voice, he sat up in bed and said ‘Mary Ann, come give me a hug,’” she said. “He raised up, said hi and gave me a big hug. He passed a couple of days later. He was a sweet man and I really liked him.”

Hospice volunteers are a valuable part of the patient care team. Volunteers work with a clinical team of a doctor, nurse, aide, chaplain and social worker. Because they spend time with the patient, volunteers who provide direct patient care can often give the team valuable feedback about issues that may arise during their visits.

“I have admired Mary Ann a great deal for many years and for a multitude of reasons,” Amy Cox, Executive Director of the Cynthiana Office, said. “I respected her first because of her knowledge and dedication to the profession of nursing and now for her compassion for others and commitment to her faith. Mary Ann has an amazing work ethic whether she’s gardening, cooking or exercising, but she also knows the value of her work as a volunteer and how her work, talent and skills benefit others. She is genuine in her concern and support and our families can sense that.”

Medicare-certified hospice programs requires providers to use volunteers for at least five percent of their patient care hours. Volunteers are required to undergo training to gain understanding of the goals for hospice care and their role and function as a volunteer.  

“After my husband Albert passed away around 2006, I wasn’t able to continue visiting patients, but I really miss it. I started then doing bereavement and care calls. I try to do anything I can,” said Mary Ann.

Pam Rowe, then Community Engagement Coordinator for the BCN Cynthiana office, recruits, trains and matches volunteers with organization needs. “Mary Ann is always willing to take the time to provide much needed support, care and compassion to patients and their families,” said Rowe. Rowe has since transitioned from her role as Community Engagement Coordinator and currently works as an Intake Specialist with Bluegrass Care Navigators.

In 2021 alone, Mary Ann volunteered over 120 hours. This includes over 800 care calls to patients as well as over 300 bereavement calls to family members who lost their loved one. She even took the time to learn how to use an iPhone to be able to reach more patients through care calls from home.

Mary Ann said, “If there’s something I can help with, I want to do it. I have always approached each day and each volunteer activity with the mindset that it is in the hands of the Lord. I will start each day and pray, 'help me help someone today.'”

If you are interested in finding out how to volunteer with Bluegrass Care Navigators, please go to www.bgcarenav.org/volunteer.