Sister Regina Aman

Sister Regina Aman became a Hospice Volunteer back in 1998. Now, almost 20 years later, Sr. Regina has managed to volunteer collectively for 3900 hours. Throughout her service, she says she has come to know and love all of her patients and their families.

“It’s a neat thing, just being there with the people,” Sr. Regina explained. “You get to the point where you love them and you care for them.”

Though Sr. Regina has served many patients and looks back on them all fondly, she has certain experiences that stick out in her mind. She spoke of one of her first patients, a woman, who was nearing the end of her journey. Hospice had called Sr. Regina that morning and told her she wasn’t doing well and that she should try her best to get there. Sr. Regina sat with the woman for a while but had to leave to make a few communion calls. She promised the woman she would be back right after.

“When I was finished, I walked back into the rectory at the church and it was almost like someone was standing there and said ‘what are you doing here,’” Sr. Regina said. “I turned right around and went back there. Her whole family was there. I sat next to her and said ‘Everybody’s here. Your husband is here. Your kids are here. Your brother and friends are here. It’s okay. You can go. It was like she was just waiting for me to come back. Everyone was there and that was a reassurance for her.”

Though it’s difficult to get attached to patients, Sr. Regina said the payoff is worth it.

“The patients give back 100 fold,” she explained. “They are gifting you with who they are and what they are going through. To allow you to walk through that with them is a sacred gift, a sacred moment.”

Though Sr. Regina has been volunteering for nearly 20 years, she has no intention of quitting anytime soon.

“It’s been a very good experience,” Sr. Regina said. “It’s my way of giving back to the community. I think it’s great.”

HomeCare & Hospice’s Hospice Program has provided medical care and emotional support to patients and their families coping with a terminal illness for 26 years in Cattaraugus, Wyoming, Genesee and Allegany Counties. Services offered include physician oversight, skilled nursing, social work, spiritual care, hospice aides and trained volunteers and bereavement care. If you would like more information about our programs, please call (800) 719-7129.

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