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Ruth Falkiewicz Hospice Volunteer of the Year … motivated by the joy of helping others
Ruth Falkiewicz’s commitment to hospice started even before hospice began. In 1980, while caring for her ailing mother-in-law, she read an article about Hospice of Southeastern Michigan beginning a pilot program in Southfield. “I have a history of taking care of the sick,” she explained. So she signed up as a volunteer with the fledgling program and has been an active volunteer ever since.
Last year the Dearborn resident was named the statewide Hospice Volunteer of the Year by the Michigan Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (MHPCO).
When Ruth reflects on what has motivated her over the years, she said: “I enjoyed doing hands-on care, such as feeding, bathing, cleaning their nails. If they wanted me to help them apply makeup, I would do that. I felt good that I could be there for the person and the family.”
When Ruth started, none of her friends knew what hospice was about. “People asked me ‘how can you touch someone who is dying?’ and I’d say, ‘because they are human beings and deserve good care.’”
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Ruth remained with the program, as it became the first accredited hospice in Michigan, and then when it merged in 1994 with nine other hospice programs across the state to become Hospice of Michigan.
Over the years, Ruth has regularly worked with patients and their families in hospitals, nursing homes and in patients’ own homes. She has provided companionship, relief for the caregivers, spiritual support, physical care and grief support. Ruth has advocated for hospice care and has been a mentor for other volunteers.
She also enjoys interacting with families. “Some people were afraid. They didn’t know what to expect when the person was going to die. I would reassure them that everything would be okay, that every case was different. I would sit with the patient so the family could get a break.“
Interacting with the patients has given her great joy, she said. “One lady wanted some baklava. I didn’t know what it was, but I called Greek restaurants and bakeries and I found one in Livonia that had some available. I said save a piece for me. And I went and bought the baklava and gave it to the lady. She was so excited and thankful and she took just one bite. That was all. But she looked so happy. She died two days later.”
John Panci, Volunteer Services Manager for Hospice of Michigan, says, “Because of her longevity with our organization, Ruth has touched the lives of hundreds of patients, thousands of family members and friends and hundreds of facility staff members. She has basically contributed to every aspect of hospice care imaginable. I can think of no person who inspires more greatly, signifies a true love for all people and nurtures all who cross her path.”
“God has been good to me,” Ruth said, adding that she has 13 children and was married to her husband for 57 years before he died in April 2000. “This is my way of paying back.”
She has no plans to slow down. “I always said I’d quit when I turned 80. Well I’ll be 80 this year, but I’m not ready to retire,” Ruth admitted. And Hospice of Michigan is grateful to continue to have the services of Ruth, their longest-serving volunteer.
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Ruth Falkiewicz receives hug from Barbara Beauchamp R.N.. |
