Volunteers make world of difference for Calgary’s senior ER patients
Spending day and night in a hospital emergency room is often a difficult experience for senior citizens in need of care, but a group of enthusiastic volunteers are hoping to bring just a little extra joy.
These volunteers make up the SUPER (Seniors Support in the ER) program at Calgary’s South Health Campus.
Pearl, an ER patient, says it’s the volunteers that have kept her going through difficult moments over the past few days.
“The volunteers are so excellent. They’re always cheerful and offer to get whatever I need,” she said.
“I think it gives me an extra boost for the day. It’s been so busy here, but you have to be strong. All the tests are thorough, but the staff and volunteers get me through.”
Volunteers like Farhana Toompa are new to the SUPER program.
She has completed just two days of volunteering, but the former medical physician from Bangladesh has found the entire experience to be overwhelmingly rewarding.
“I came here to Canada because of my son who has special needs, so it’s been a struggle from the beginning, but I have met so many wonderful people and that’s why I wanted to give back,” she said.
“The reward we get can’t be expressed, it’s just all you feel in your hear. Volunteers are normal people who have helped me out through my journey and they’ve inspired me a lot, and when I’m in their shoes I feel that the volunteers make a great influence in everyone’s life.”
Others like Hooria Ashfaq volunteered more than 150 hours over the past year, greeting patients, providing comfort and conversation to help make a senior’s stay better.
She says simple tasks like playing cards or providing blankets or water have gone a long way in forming strong relationships.
“A lot of seniors just really like the company. Sometimes they don't want to talk and they just want someone to sit with and even that's really great just to be there for them,” she said.
“This is a relatively new program that had to be put aside during COVID, but when I started as a volunteer I could see how important it was to be a helping hand for nurses and help in any way. I have cards, puzzles, toothbrushes and combs, books and anything they need.”
The 20-year-old originally from the United Arab Emirates is completing her undergrad in chemistry at the University of Calgary and dreams of one day becoming a medical doctor.
Ashfaq also speaks both Hindi and Urdu, which has been an asset in the emergency room when some patients may have foreign language barriers with other medical staff.
"I'm really a people's person and I absolutely just love helping and working with people, so this really helps me build on my communication,” she said.
The SUPER program is continuing to accept volunteers at the South Health Campus and opportunities can be applied for online.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6977485.1721935249!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
LIVE UPDATES Rain reduces wildfire activity, aids firefighters: Jasper park officials
Jasper National Park officials said Thursday night that rain over the day resulted in "minimal fire behaviour and spread."
Canadian Olympic Committee removes women's soccer team's head coach over drone scandal
The Canadian Olympic Committee has removed women's national soccer team head coach Bev Priestman over a drone scandal, according to a press release from the organization.
Yukon woman narrowly escapes bear attack, credits hair clip
A woman in Yukon believes her hair clip helped save her during a bear attack.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
'I was just shocked': Jasper lodge owner on seeing property destroyed by wildfire
On Wednesday night, the owner of Maligne Lodge in Jasper, Alta., was shocked to receive a photo of her business engulfed in flames.
Mary-Ellen Turpel-Lafond likely has Indigenous DNA: report
The Law Society of British Columbia says a DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree "most likely" has Indigenous heritage.
U.S. authorities have arrested 'El Mayo' Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel
Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, a son of another infamous cartel leader, were arrested by U.S. authorities in Texas on Thursday, the U.S. Justice Department said.
Harris pushes Netanyahu to ease suffering in Gaza: 'I will not be silent'
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris pressured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday to help reach a Gaza ceasefire deal that would ease the suffering of Palestinian civilians, striking a tougher tone than President Joe Biden.
'She led it the whole way': 18-year-old B.C. woman leads hikers to safety in Jasper National Park
As fire threatened people in Jasper National Park, Colleen Knull sprung into action.