Sisters resident values Hospice experience

Earl Richards, Hospice volunteer.

Sisters resident Earl Richards has become a vital member of Hospice of Redmond, Sisters & Grant County.

Richards' calling to Hospice came three and a half years ago in the form of an announcement at his church.

"Our pastor was a hospice chaplain and he said they needed volunteers," Richards said. "I made a phone call that very next day. They were in such need for volunteers for respite care (being a companion to a dying person) I also was assigned a patient that same day. I was unknowing and green, but I went to the residence anyway and got a lot of 'on-the-job' training."

Even though Richards stepped into his Hospice volunteer position with both feet, he did attend the volunteer training shortly after his 'on-the-job' training experience.

"I thought I had an idea of what Hospice was all about -- and it was altogether wrong," he said. "I actually thought Hospice was a type of 'home' where dying people were kept secret and hidden away.

"It was real backwards thinking. The volunteer training was very enlightening... it was like finding a light switch after being in the dark. Hospice is a type of home but it's the patient's home. Hospice allows people to die where they are most comfortable, surrounded by people that they love and that love them. Nothing is a secret and hidden away... it's actually a very open and honest time for everyone involved."

Richards is one of 12 Hospice volunteers in the Sisters community.

"The whole Hospice experience is, by far, the most fulfilling volunteer work I've done in my entire life," he said. "With every patient, something new always happens. We are all individuals and so diversified and we can all learn from each other.

"Also, if something comes up with a patient that I'm not sure how to handle, I can call the Hospice office and get good, professional answers to my questions. You are never left dangling and out there alone."

In 1998, Earl was pleasantly surprised at the annual Volunteer Appreciation Banquet, receiving the 'Volunteer of the Year' award. And, in 2000, he was again rewarded for his dedication to Hospice, receiving the Heart and Soul Award.

Richards is also an active volunteer with the Central Oregon Council on Aging, delivering Meals on Wheels and acting as a chauffeur, driving people to doctor's appointments and grocery shopping. He also enjoys being active in the Sisters Community Theater and the Central Oregon Songwriters Association.

Richards has been married to his wife, Mary, since 1973 and has six grown children, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

"All of my experiences with patients have been heartwarming," he said.

"We just visit and talk about their lives. It's funny... the things you think would be hard to talk about actually become easy.

"For me, death is not the end, it's only the beginning and after death, it only gets better.