The Unexpected Gift of Volunteering: What My 90-Year-Old Clients Taught Me About Life

By Gina Pierucci, Hospice SLO County In-Home Volunteer

Opening my heart to learn about death and working with those in situations that require support has deeply enriched my life. My Hospice SLO County training, which was concurrent with my retirement and entrance into the decade of my 70s, put me in a space to visualize what my feelings about death and preparation for death were. It is not always easy, but it is so fulfilling to my whole self; so much growth and change.

My clients and their families have profoundly impacted my understanding of caregiving. I have witnessed frustration, exhaustion, confusion, vulnerability, and, at the same time, deep respect, love, devotion, and honor.

I have learned the tenderness of watching families navigate the last years of a loved one’s life, which has given me pause a million times in a myriad of ways to think of my own and how I will navigate this next decade or two (may it be so!) of my own life and the choices I make now with my family and friends…and time in general.

I have changed my perspectives and life goals in many ways these past five years. Yes, much of that is just the way we roll in our 70s, but I am deeply aware that the clients I have come to care for have gifted me so much a piece of that. I often wish I had the experience I now have when my parents were in their last weeks and months of life. It was not bad…. but it could have been so much better!

I often visualize caring for my clients as caring for my own parents. That is a powerful and healing image. My client (93 years old) and his wife (90 years old), who have been married for over 70 years, are the most devoted and loving couple. We walk every week on these Central Coast trails, smelling (literally) the roses and taking it all in, the wonder and awe. For me, they model the many beautiful ways the love of each other, nature, keeping active, and sharing experiences and memories look like in our 90s. They bless me with their essence every week, and we are all grateful for the opportunity.

I know not every client has the ability to do this, but this is my lesson now. I’ll take it with gratitude. Open hearts. Reaching out. Presence. Blessed gifts all around.