Every Thursday morning, volunteers arrive at Four Seasons’ Franklin, Asheville, and Flat Rock offices prepared to make dozens of calls to hospice patients receiving in-home care. They are part of a dedicated “tuck-in call” team, and many of them have been giving their time on Thursday mornings since the tuck-in call program began over five years ago.

The purpose of the tuck-in program is to make sure patients and caregivers have all the supplies and support they need heading into the weekend. Volunteers ask a series of questions and take note of any changes in patient symptoms or medication needs. All updates, requests, and feedback they receive are then relayed to the patient’s clinical team. The Director of Nursing for the West Region and IPUs, Autumn Neesam, says the program “is an extra layer of our already great support. We are so lucky to have such caring volunteers to call our patients and families and assist our clinical staff in making these calls, allowing them more time at the bedside.”

One of those caring volunteers is Sherrie Cathcart. She has been with Four Seasons for over two years and says her favorite part of making calls is getting to connect with patients and caregivers. “They are consistently positive, grateful, and amazed at the level of support from Four Seasons,” Cathcart says. “Tuck-in calls allow us to provide support, be it medical supplies or a listening ear, during a very difficult time. It is a privilege to care for these patients and their families.” Another volunteer, Sally Caffery, has been a hospice volunteer since 2012. She says “When one makes these tuck-in calls, it is all about giving of oneself in time, thought, and mostly in the belief in the mission of hospice. I cannot imagine life and its finality without hospice and its loving mission.”

The tuck-in program wouldn’t be possible without devoted community members like Sherrie and Sally who help make sure patients feel comfortable and cared for each weekend. Thank you, volunteers, for your compassion and service!

We are currently in search of additional tuck-in call volunteers at our Franklin and Asheville offices. If you are interested, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Chloe Jackson-Pierce. We would love to have you join us!

Learn more about volunteering for Four Seasons!