No One Dies Alone: A Unique Volunteer Program.

Abstract

No One Dies Alone is a hospital-based volunteer program that provides a caring human presence at the end of life for patients when nurses cannot remain at the bedside. No One Dies Alone volunteers offer peace of mind for families who can know their loved ones will not die alone. Volunteers live out the second greatest commandment of loving your neighbor as yourself by providing a calming presence, voice, touch, support, and validation of feelings. A case study illustrates the value of a volunteer's presence.