Joyce Kyle volunteers for rewarding job
Staff writer
At a time in life when things are made difficult by a long-term illness, Central Homecare and Hospice provides relief to patients and their families. Hospice also provides volunteers who work throughout McPherson, Harvey, and Marion counties to help patients and caregivers cope with day-to-day situations.
Joyce Kyle of rural Florence has been a volunteer with the program since 1997. Kyle's introduction into the organization came when she helped set up the annual "Tree of Life," a tree, that throughout the Christmas holidays, is a physical place of remembrance of loved ones who have dealt with an illness.
Kyle became a hospice volunteer in 2001.
"Donna Becker called me and asked if I knew of someone to do some ironing for a family in Florence," stated Kyle. "I thought, well I can do that, so I went and that was my first duty as a volunteer. Donna then insisted that I take the hospice volunteer training. I've volunteered for seven patients since that time. Some of them have died. It can be very sad, but, it is really nice to be with these people or to give a caregiver a break. It is great to feel like you've made a difference in their lives."
The training, which takes 12 hours, helps volunteers know how to deal with patients and their families. "I wish more people would take the training," stated Kyle, "then decide if they could be a volunteer. It is such a rewarding experience."
Some of the things on Kyle's list of volunteer duties may include conversation, singing, reading, or laundry. "It also can be just sitting while the caregiver takes a break from the routine of the illness. Caregivers have such a hard job. I like to be able to give them a much needed break. Even if they don't leave the house, it's time to themselves. I think that is so important."
Becker, volunteer coordinator for Central Homecare and Hospice, knows the value of volunteers to the program. "Joyce is an extraordinary person. She has great compassion for others. She seems to understand the needs of the patients and the caregivers. We are so blessed to have such a caring person working with our organization.
"Joyce always goes beyond what we ask of her and rarely says no to a request, even if it's in the middle of the night. We could use a lot more volunteers like her," continued Becker.
