Ian Simms is the head of pastoral care at Southern Cross Care, a residential aged care service. Simms is leading an initiative called No One Dies Alone (NODA). His mission is clear: to ensure that no one has to face their final moments without someone by their side.
“In my role at Southern Cross Care, I noticed that some of the residents had family…But I also noticed that there were some that were literally dying alone.” He also cited a startling statistic: 40% of elderly Australians receive no visits from friends or family throughout the year. This deeply moved him and inspired him to take action.
The NODA program was started by Sandra Clark, a nurse in the United States. In 1986, she encountered a patient who, in his final moments reached out for companionship. “He said to her, why don’t you just stay with me for a while? And she said I just need to check on some of the other residents. When she got back, he had passed away.” This profound experience led her to establish NODA in 2001. The program has since spread worldwide.
“Human beings are inherently communal. We need others nearby, even in our final moments,” Simms said. He recalled a personal experience where simply having someone hold his hand during a life-threatening situation provided immense comfort. “That’s the closest I can come to imagining what it must be like in the later stages of life.” Even if a person appears unconscious, they may still hear and feel the presence of others. “Offering soothing words or even just being there can provide great solace,” he explained.
As Simms summarised, NODA represents more than just physical presence; it’s about ensuring a “good death.” This concept includes not only the absence of pain but also the resolution of relational and spiritual matters. Simms considers his work an incredible privilege, helping people address these critical questions in their final moments.
In closing, Simms reflected on the universal fear of dying alone. “No one truly knows what the end will be like. The NODA program aims to alleviate that fear by ensuring no one has to face their final moments alone.” For more information about NODA or to get involved, visit Southern Cross Care’s website.