No One Dies Alone Program

Contributed By: Donna Medina, Director – OSF Hospice

“We are honored to be a part of the birthing of someone into this world, and it is just as great an honor to be present when they are birthed into the next world.” – Sister Judith Ann Duvall, O.S.F., Major Superior

The idea for a No One Dies Alone program began many years ago at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Eugene, Oregon, when nurse Sandra Clarke met a man whose name she cannot remember but a man she would never forget.

He was one of her seven patients and was very near death. When she made her first rounds, he asked, “Will you stay with me?” He was frail, pale, old and trembling. She responded, “Sure, as soon as I check my other patients”.

Upon completing her vitals on the other patients, pass­ing meds, assessing a new patient and taking numerous phone calls, she returned to his room. Almost two hours had passed. He had died and she felt terrible. It was okay for him to die, it was his time but not alone.

With the impact of that event, Sandra Clarke decided she would be the instrument for change. It took years before an actual program developed. The first No One Dies Alone pro­gram began in June 2001. Since that time, the concept of NODA has truly met a need and programs can be found throughout the United States and also in Singapore and Japan.

OSF Home Care Starts No One Dies Alone Program

Seeing the need for such a program in our own community, OSF Home Care Services began a limited NODA program in April 2009. The plan was simple. OSF Home Care would partner with local health care facilities to provide trained volunteers for situations when someone is in the last hours of life and does not wish to be alone.

NODA is for hospice and non-hospice patients who are dying with no family or friends available.

Becoming a NODA Volunteer
No nursing skill is required to be a NODA volunteer with OSF Home Care. We are looking for compassionate, caring and dedicated people who can commit at least 2-4 hours a month and are willing to be on call during the time they choose.

All NODA volunteers are required to:

• complete an application
• submit to an interview
• sign a job description
• provide a physical from their physician
• submit to a criminal background check
• have a current TB test on file (free service)
• sign a confidentiality statement
• complete an additional  two-hour orientation beyond the standard volunteer orientation
• follow all volunteer policies and procedures
• provide availability to the volunteer coordinator

This program is not intended to take the place of nursing care. Volunteers are trained to sit and offer company and comfort only. Training for the NODA program is free.

OSF Home Care Services believes that when someone is born, they should be surrounded by love and feel the same way when someone is dying. We do our best to provide that service.

Last Updated: December 4, 2018