My Calling in Life
With over 10 years of Hospice and Respite experience, I have cared for people with Parkinson’s Alzheimer’s, Alcoholism, Lou Gehrig’s (ALS), failure to thrive, and many forms of cancer. I believe we can tap into a source of peace within an individual and support quality of life for all involved. My youngest client was a 38-year-old male with AIDS. My oldest client was a lady that was a 102-year-old; she didn’t use a walker, wheelchair or a cane.
Pictured: George, Lanny and Pat Voelkel
What to Expect
- Proven experience with providing full-service care to those who need assistance caring for themselves
- Assist with Activities of Daily Living (ADL), including bathing, dressing, transfer, toileting, continence, and eating.
- Ability to anticipate needs and produce optimal individualized responses
- Emotional Support
- Gentle massages
- Exercises and range of motion stretches (even if the client is bed ridden)
- Excursions – getting out of the room for some outside stimulation, fresh air, sunlight and human interaction
- Mental stimulation – Reading to the client, inspirational stories and talking about things that interest them
- Being present – sometimes at a certain point all you can do is be there- Let them know that they are not alone
About Me
- Name: Patrick Voelkel
- The ability to communicate using American Sign Language
- 4th of 5 boys that grew up in the Annapolis area
- All American Lacrosse – AACC
- Honorable discharge – 1989 – US Army
- Hospice Volunteer since 2004
- Produce Clerk- Graul’s Market-Cape St. Claire 2003-2012
- Special Olympics Volunteer 2009- 2012
- MSP Polar Bear Plunge Superplunger – 3 years. I helped raise thousands of dollars for the Special Olympics of Maryland. As a team my partner and I have raised over $125,000 in our lifetime quest.
- Completed Comfort Touch Training – 2016 (Hospice of the Chesapeake)
- Completed Course on Therapeutic Massage (AAMC)
- Virtual Dementia class given by Department of Aging 2014
- Completed Training for Companion-Caregiver by the Anne Arundel Country Department of Aging and Disabilities (click to view certificate)