“It makes me feel good as a
person," said one elated patient. The arts on many levels have always served as promoters of good health
and creative communication. For those who are ill, many benefits include self-expression,
tranquility, and more options for improving quality of life. Arts @ the Bedside, an arts program
initiated by the Visiting Nurse Service of New York Hospice Care is a great
example of the role hospice volunteers can play in facilitating varied arts
expressions of home hospice patients. Volunteer training includes six monthly
training sessions led by professional artists. Training visits, session
reports, and the impact on volunteers are recorded. This program provides beneficial results, not only for volunteers, but also
for patients, families and staff.
Art programs serve as sources
of well being and healing for non-hospice patients. This video features the Art for Health program at Stanford Hospital. This
program helps to lift patients' spirits and alleviate stress and anxiety. The
one-on-one bedside sessions are available for free to any patient at the
hospital who is interested in participating.
Frances
Shani Parker, Author
Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer
in Urban Nursing Homes is available in paperback and e-book
editions in America and other countries at online and offline booksellers.
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