Patient Care

Are you or a loved one feeling isolated and in need of companionship? Volunteers sit with patients and share stories, read together, watch TV, listen to music, write letters, sit outside, play games, have tea and the list goes on. Volunteers are open to what is best for the patient and often can be matched with similar interests.

Caregiver burnout is real. It is important to take time for yourself. Volunteers can sit for 2-4 hours while you go out to do errands, have lunch with a friend, take a walk, nap in another room, go to a movie and more. If it is catching up on chores, running errands, or taking some time for self care that you need, our volunteers are here to help. While you are out, your loved one can rest or do what feels best while the volunteer is there.

For those who are nearing the very end of life, volunteers are trained to sit at the bedside and provide a calm presence and respite for the caregiver and family. Vigil is provided in the home and nursing facility setting.

For patients under hospice care, we can have our Evensong Hospice Choir who can come in to sing songs that would be welcomed by the patient. They have a variety of songs available including hymns, old time music, country and more. We have two groups – one serving the MDI area and the other serving the Blue Hill/Ellsworth area.

This program is for hospice patients who are interested in sharing a story, their life, or parts of their life for an audio recording to then be shared with those they choose. This can be a fun process for the patient and sometimes healing.

Reiki is a complementary therapy that provides relaxation, decreases stress, promotes sleep, and decreases anxiety. It can be hands on or hands off depending on the comfort of the patient and/or family. Reiki can support patients as part of a complete approach to pain and symptom management with current medical interventions. Sessions can last 15 minutes to up to an hour. You can request a single visit or a weekly visit.