11th Hour Volunteer Provides Calming Presence
For Milly Burkhart, being an 11th Hour Volunteer is a sacred and holy honor. In this role, she provides the comfort of presence to Eastern Kentucky patients in their final moments who don’t have family nearby. Milly, and her fellow 11th hour volunteers, answer the call, no matter the time of day or night to sit with patients when it’s needed most.
"Each one of our patients, they are my friends, and they are my neighbors, and I think we ought to take care of each other,” Milly said.
Milly recently sat with a patient suffering from terminal restlessness who was very agitated. Although the staff at the nursing home had done everything they could, the patient remained agitated. Since the patient’s family couldn’t be present around the clock, Milly sat with him to provide a comforting presence. As Milly rubbed his back and sang some well-known songs, the patient calmed and seemed more at peace.
“I felt good knowing that I had helped this gentleman through a very difficult time,” she said.
Bluegrass Care Navigators is committed to providing expert care with compassion. Our team of clinicians and volunteers work together to ensure that each person receives the care they would want for their own family members. Your generosity today will help us continue to serve friends and neighbors in our communities and ensure that no one passes alone.
