Already in the first months, we learned that social distance, especially to the group of patients at risk, creates a burning need for emotional ventilation and an attentive ear.
We have heard time and time again patients calling for assistance in exercising their rights, and emphasizing at the end of the first conversation, that they already feel helped, after unpacking their feelings and life story.
We heard about the loneliness imposed on them, about the fears and anxieties of any human contact, and on the other hand about the hunger for society and connection. And we decided to find an answer to that.
We have added a new telephone call service by volunteers from the world of care.
The volunteers come from a wide range of fields: psychotherapy, social work, psychology, personal training, art and occupational therapy, etc. They are joined by volunteers from other fields, some recovering from cancer themselves, and some with a similar family history.
Once a connection is established, the door is open, and patients feel comfortable calling when needed. The volunteers themselves, try to call to take an interest from time to time without being burdensome. The need is growing, and the conversations are especially exciting.
Deborah (pseudonym), a woman in a home hospice, receives daily calls from a Yad Tamar volunteer from an emotional support team, d. Talks to her about the fears of death, calls her in anxiety attacks, and practices breathing and relaxation with her. Her volunteer son said that on one occasion d. She said to her: I love you!
