First Visit...

The other day I took a brand new volunteer out for what I refer to as a "Meet and Greet," meaning an introduction of the volunteer to the patient along with a first visit.  To get the true beauty of this post you need to remember I said brand new volunteer.  This was her first ever visit as a volunteer with our company.

The plan was for the two of us to meet outside the facility and she arrived right on time.  Just as we were saying hello to one another a resident came out of the facility, came over to the two of us, and proceeded to share with us that she had "some really wonderful meat " (all wrapped up neatly in a napkin).  "Some really wonderful meat and I brought it out here to leave for the animals."  My first thought was that would be a great way to invite unwanted critters to the front of the facility.  Before I could think this thought through fully the woman proceeded to ask us if we would like to see the "really wonderful piece of meat" that she had with her.  What could we say besides, "Sure," so she proceeded to carefully unwrap the napkin and show us her bounty.

After the viewing she ask our opinion regarding where she should leave her (say it with me now) "really wonderful piece of meat."  Buying some time I told her I wasn't sure where the best place would be, but if she wanted I would take the meat and find the perfect spot for it.  Fortunately she thought this was a great idea so she handed over the napkin and it's contents.  As she did she said, "Just don't tell anyone you got it from ********."  I didn't think it necessary to tell her that since I had no idea who she was there was no way I could have told anyone the meat came from her dinner plate UNTIL she told me her name.

Content that she had done her part to provide for visiting wildlife she returned back inside the facility with us following behind.  Now, to figure out what to do with the meat?  My first thought was to return it to the dining room (I didn't want to put it in a regular trash can for the same reason I didn't think it very sanitary to throw it on the lawn), but the resident was still in front of us and I didn't want to upset her.  Then I recalled that the facility had a coffee area with a heavy duty trash can, not to mention a sink with soap, water, and paper towels.  We lost the meat and washed out hands; the (normal) first thing one does upon entering a facility and/or home.

Before I finish my recap of this visit I need to take a moment to give my volunteer HUGE kudos for how she handled this encounter.  Some people would have been shocked, grossed out, and/or disgusted.  My amazing volunteer not only covered any negative feelings she may have been having she actually showed interest in the contents of the resident's napkin, just like she had these experiences on a daily basis!

After we washed our hands I explained the sign in procedure for the facility and we headed down the hall our patient lived in.  Before we were even close to the hallway a great BIG belch vibrated through the room we were standing in.  First the meat lady, now this!  "Nice first impression," came out of my mouth but the volunteer just smiled and reassured me that it was all fine.  What a trouper!

As we approached the owner of the belch I realized that the owner was also our patient.  Imagine that!  I said hello and made the introductions and our patient proceeded to tell us that she had eaten something that didn't agree with her at dinner and her belly was hurting.  While my volunteer stayed with the patient I went to inform the nurse and see if there was anything that should be done for the patient.  The nurse thought it would be okay to wait and see if the resident felt better in a few minutes and this was indeed the case.  In a short time our patient was able to stand up and escort us to her apartment.

After being at the facility for about twenty minutes we were finally ready to start our visit.

The number one (maybe even  two and three as well) thing a volunteer needs to be is flexible.  One can plan a visit in their mind down to the smallest detail but that doesn't guarentee things will go as planned.  If a volunteer can't set their plans/ideas down on the spot, and address the immediate needs of the patient they will end up being frustrated more often than not.  The volunteer I was with on this visit instinctively gets this; it is part of her and it will serve her well on her future visits. 

She is an amazing assest to our team!  I am looking forward to getting to know her better, and supporting her as she in turns supports our patient through her volunteer visits.