Volunteers Ensure No Patient Faces Death Alone in Hospice Care

A quiet but meaningful program is offering comfort to patients in their final hours. Called No One Dies Alone, it pairs volunteers with those nearing the end of life who have no family or friends nearby. One such volunteer, Tammy Skubal, spends time sitting with patients, holding their hand, and ensuring they do not face death alone.

The initiative began after a patient's heartbreaking request to a nurse—asking her to stay—went unfulfilled when he later died by himself.

Sandra Clarke started the program after witnessing that moment. She wanted to prevent others from dying without someone close. Since then, hospices like Hillcrest Hospice and PeaceHealth's Oregon Home and Community have adopted it.

Volunteers receive training to recognise signs of passing and how to keep patients comfortable. Sam Cradduck, an expert from Aging Untold, helps prepare them for this role. He describes the service as invaluable for both patients and those who give their time.

For Skubal, the experience is deeply personal. She finds solace in being present, honouring a life as it ends. The program fills a simple but profound need—ensuring no one leaves the world without a compassionate presence.

The No One Dies Alone program continues to grow, though its exact reach across the US remains unclear. Hospices that offer it rely on volunteers like Skubal to provide dignity and companionship. For patients with no loved ones nearby, these moments of connection can make all the difference.