SSM Health at Home Hospice volunteer finds great rewards

The saying goes, “If you find something you truly love, stick with it.”

This sentiment holds true for Mabel Billington, a Mayville resident, who has served more than 14 years as an SSM Health at Home Hospice volunteer.

Asa retired certified nursing assistant (CNA) and caregiver at heart, Mabel wanted to continue caring for others, so she joined the hospice volunteer team about one year prior to her retirement because “I’ve always cared so much!”

Over the years, Mabel has provided companionship and respite to patients at facilities and private homes. She has served patients in Campbellsport, Fond du Lac, Lomira, and Mayville. Mabel also helps with sewing and knitting projects by making praying shawls and quilts for veterans and other patients.

Mabel is an active volunteer in her church and various organizations in her community. After the unexpected loss of her mother about 30 years ago, Mabel still wanted to provide others with the same comfort she received during this difficult time.

Serving as a hospice volunteer has allowed Mabel to have a connection with her patients while providing the comfort she received.

“Being a hospice volunteer allows me to get to know the patients and their families through their stories,” Mabel shares. “You are there to comfort, to engage, to listen, and pray with them. I know hospice patients always appreciate your presence, so Fridays are my hospice day.”

Mabel also believes that her hospice volunteer work has been “a lifeline to help others and it also helps me to get through my own difficulties.”

Mabel recalls a few special assignments, including joining a patient during her lunch time encouraging her to eat.

“She truly appreciated my time with her, as it took her a long time to get through her meal,” according to Mabel. “During her last days, I just sat with her. One day when her family was also present, I was able to encourage them to talk to her and help them embrace the last moments with her.”

Hospice volunteers often can serve as a model to families during these difficult times. Mabel also recalls another assignment when she visited a patient whose family visited her on regular basis.

“I would visit her and pray with her,” Mabel says. “I got to know her family well. We helped each other through the process of losing her.”

Most recently, Mabel recalls a patient she played cards with, and they were able to share many moments of joy “We played Kings Corners during our visits,” according to Mabel. “During my first visits, she was asleep when I arrived. Just after a few initial visits, I mentioned to her that I knew she liked to play cards. She soon started looking forward to our time together. She used to win all the time!”

Mabel also recalls an assignment that also gave her the ability to share her gifts and talents. 

“One lady was a sewer and wanted to get a quilt done before she died,” Mabel says. “I helped her with that project during my visits.”

For those considering volunteering, Mabel shares the many rewards.

“Families have thanked me for what’ve done,” according to Mabel. “Volunteering for hospice is so rewarding. I’ve learned that patience allows you to help others through hard times. Hospice volunteering also teaches us how to be present and help patients through their end-of-life journey.

“Listening is such an important thing,” Mabel adds. “You can help patients and families work through the difficulties by just listening. I try not to say too much. Encourage conversation when they need it. There are lots of things you find out about them. I’ve learned from my patients to accept the difficulties in life.”

There are many wonderful opportunities for those interested in volunteering with SSM Health at Home Hospice, including providing companionship and emotional support, veteran recognition, pet therapy, assisting with spiritual care and serving meals at the Hospice Home of Hope, and other patient and non-patient contact opportunities.

SSM Health at Home Hospice provides an individualized training program designed to equip volunteers for the varied types of service. Hospice in Fond du Lac and Green Lake areas are currently looking for more volunteers who are placed in their own geographic areas.

Being a hospice volunteer is a rewarding experience that allows individuals to share their gifts and talents, grow spiritually, learn new skills, belong to a caring team with a common goal, and much more.

To learn more or schedule training, contact Hospice Volunteer Coordinators Betty Walleser at (920) 924-4662 or Beatriz.Walleser@ssmhealth.com or Kristin Moderow at (920) 294-4481 or Kristin.Bostad@ssmhealth.com