Volunteers Sought For

‘No One Dies Alone’ Program

 DANBURY — “One of the saddest things that we sometimes see at the hospital is when someone dies with no one who cares there,” says Barry Boriss, volunteer recruited to coordinate the new program. In an effort to address this situation in a compassionate way, Danbury Hospital is creating a program called No One Dies Alone.

Originally developed at hospitals in Oregon and California, this volunteer project seeks to provide compassionate companionship for patients who are actively dying and have no family or friends, or, at least, have no one close by to be with them during the last days and hours.

In five evening sessions beginning October 25, the Department of Spiritual Care, the Palliative Care Program, and the Department of Volunteer Services at Danbury Hospital will offer special training to prepare people to be volunteer Compassionate Companions for those patients who are reaching the end of their time.

“We want to bring a sense of comfort when no one else is there for the person. Out of whichever faith tradition our volunteers may bring, there is a universal sense of connection that they offer,” said Rabbi Jeffery M. Silberman, director of Spiritual Care.

Once the volunteers have been screened and trained, it is anticipated that the program will be implemented by the start of the new year. The cost of the training is $50 and attendance at all five sessions is mandatory.

Deadline for application is October 17. Also, the number of spaces for this training is limited. Contact the Department of Spiritual Care at Danbury Hospital for more information at 203-739-7885.