Dubuque resident Julie King has made a significant impact on hospice care in her community through her dedicated volunteer work. A former nurse, King found her calling in hospice care during her medical training. Motivated by the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, she began volunteering at Hospice of Dubuque, where she has contributed her time and compassion for the past three years.
“It’s a neat opportunity to maybe fill a need where you might not even know it exists,” King said, highlighting the importance of companionship in hospice care. She believes that a simple smile and positive energy can profoundly affect patients facing serious health challenges.
Creating Lasting Memories
At Hospice of Dubuque, King provides essential companionship to patients and their families. Beyond offering her time, she also engages in creating plaster hand molds, which serve as cherished keepsakes for families. The process requires four to five hours to complete each mold after casting a patient’s hand. King noted, “There’s something special about the holding of a hand,” emphasizing the emotional weight of these creations.
These hand molds offer families a “concrete representation” of their loved ones during a difficult time, giving them something tangible to remember. “A lot of times, it just becomes so much more than what you expected it to be, and I think that’s one of the beauties of volunteerism,” King reflected. She finds that the experience often transcends her initial expectations.
A Compassionate Presence
With a decade of nursing experience, King feels a deep connection to caregiving. She expressed that helping others, whether it be her children or strangers nearing the end of their lives, is an intrinsic part of her nature. “It’s just one of those things — it just seems like what I’m supposed to do,” King said. “It’s my yes.”
According to Kevin Dreessens, the volunteer coordinator at Hospice of Dubuque, King stands out among a volunteer team of over 100. He described her as a “very compassionate, dedicated presence,” noting that many patients in hospice care experience isolation. The socialization King provides can significantly enhance their overall demeanor.
For King, her work, particularly in creating hand molds, represents a unique way to uncover beauty in stressful situations. She emphasized the gratitude expressed by families, stating, “How grateful people are to have someone there taking some time to be with their loved ones, I think it’s really eye-opening to hear.”
King’s commitment to hospice care not only enriches the lives of patients but also creates lasting memories for families during some of their most challenging moments. She feels privileged to share these experiences, especially when time is of the essence.