Emotional and holistic support approaching end of life
Our dedicated volunteers provide support to residents when family or friends cannot be with them in their final hours
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Bring comfort and companionship to those in their final moments
Our No One Dies Alone Companion Program
In their final moments, some residents in our care find themselves without family or friends by their side. Whether due to estrangement, geographical distance, the heart-breaking reality of parents outliving their children, limited family support, or various other commitments, they face this vulnerable time alone.
True to our vision at Amana Living - where everyone is valued and treated with respect and dignity - we have embraced the No One Dies Alone Companion (NODAC) program so that those who seek companionship as they near the end of their life are not alone. Our volunteers, fully supported by Amana Living’s care specialists and our extensive Chaplaincy services, provide emotional support and a calming presence in a resident’s final hours.
But we need your support to keep up with the demand to extend this end-of-life service to all residents in our care.
Please help us to bring comfort and companionship to those in their final moments.
Become a NODAC volunteer
Call us (08) 9424 6335 or email nodac@amanaliving.com.au
What it looks like to be a NODAC volunteer
NODAC volunteers keep our residents calm and comfortable nearing the end of their life. This can look different for each resident; you may read and talk to the resident, gently hold their hand, or play their favourite music.
Our volunteers spend three hours at a time with the resident. When the three hours is complete, another volunteer will take their place. This time is scheduled as required and can occur 24 hours of the day. Volunteers have the ability to select the care centres they visit and their desired time slots. We understand that life can impact the ability to volunteer and some weeks may be busier than others, which is why we offer the flexibility to select your own volunteer time slots. We just ask that you attend at least one shift per month.
NODAC volunteers must attend an initial half-day training session. Amana Living will provide volunteers with the resources and information they need to provide comfort to the resident, including information on cultural and spiritual considerations. A Rainbow Trolley is located at each care centre, containing items to soothe the resident.
You don’t need any formal qualifications to be a volunteer.
However, as this can be an emotional process, we recommend that you have some of the following traits:
- Compassion
- Resilience
- Strong emotional intelligence
- A calming nature
- Good communication skills
Volunteer requirements:
- Proof of COVID and flu vaccination or willingness to obtain, in line with organisation requirements
- Reliable transport
- Ability to navigate basic app use on a mobile device
- Willingness to attend training sessions
Experience in dementia, palliative care or aged care is desirable but not essential.
To find out more about volunteering at Amana Living, call us on 08 9424 6335 or email volunteers@amanaliving.com.au. For more information about the application process and requirements, please see here.
What's on the Rainbow Trolley?
We supply a Rainbow Trolley to each location that offers the NODAC program. This trolley contains items to help soothe our residents, including:
- Diffuser with essential oils
- Salt lamp
- iPod to play songs the resident may enjoy
- Handmade quilt
- Bible
- Rosary
An experience from the heart
“It is such a privilege to be a NODAC volunteer; the role is worthwhile, and you get so much in return. It can be challenging but ultimately it’s about spending time with a person, talking to them, and enriching their life.”
Renee, one of our founding NODAC volunteers.
