Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer.
At least, that’s the philosophy of Debbie Newton, one of the most passionate volunteers at Nathan Adelson Hospice, Southern Nevada’s largest nonprofit hospice. Newton, who began volunteering at the hospice in November of 2012, enjoys donating her time to help further the overall goal of the nonprofit.
“This is tough work, but it’s vital work,” she said. “Everyone deserves to leave this world without pain, surrounded by people who value them.”
Prior to joining the volunteer team at Nathan Adelson Hospice, Newton began volunteering with the Alzheimer’s Association of Southern Nevada, running support groups for families and caregivers weekly.
After just a year of volunteering with that organization, Newton decided to start donating her time to help out at Nathan Adelson Hospice.
She chose to work through the Bonnie Schreck Complementary Therapies program, which helps patients both emotionally and physically.
“There can be high levels of stress and anxiety associated with end-of-life issues,” she said. “These programs are designed to ease these worries as much as humanly possible. Nothing is 100 percent, but there are a lot ways that we are making a difference for patients and families.”
Through this program, patients and their loved ones can request various therapies and techniques, such as healing touch, reflexology, aromatherapy, and pet therapy to help ease emotional discomfort by providing a calming and soothing environment.
Newton began volunteering at the hospice because of her own experiences with death and grieving. Her beloved husband passed away while in home hospice care.
“I saw what a difference the process can make for those who need to be comforted and are seeking comfort from anxiety,” she said. “It’s a hard thing but it’s a real thing, and I feel honored to be a part of these people’s lives in any way.”
Newton channeled her own grief by helping to create a support group for volunteers dealing with hospice patients and end-of-life care. Licensed and certified in reflexology, she was able to help patients with her reflexology skills and offer treatment in the comfort of the patients’ own homes.
Since her volunteer endeavor began, Newton has found unique ways to connect other industry professionals in the reflexology community. She is the owner of a boutique reflexology business, which provides pro bono services to hospice patients.
Her own life and grief have been transformed through her volunteer work, which has allowed her to lead a more fulfilling life and connect with families and patients through her own experiences. Newton spends anywhere from five to seven hours a week volunteering with Nathan Adelson Hospice.
“I’ve learned countless things from all the people I’ve worked with and of course, from the patients and their families,” she said.
Newton also volunteers at Three Square and spends a day a week at the VA home in Boulder City, spending quality time with the people who live there.
“It’s an awesome honor to be able to do that,” she said. “I just love it.”
Newton said that she plans to spend the foreseeable future broadening her Reiki repertoire to benefit patients at Nathan Adelson Hospice. The most joyful thing about volunteering in hospice care is not what most people might expect, according to Newton.
“It’s nice to be able to spend quality time with people when they are at their most alive and most vulnerable,” she said. “It’s a sacred and beautiful thing. Anybody who is blessed enough to touch the lives of those who are so close to leaving this world are changed forever, and that’s not a bad thing. I know that’s been the case for me.”