NEWHALL HOSPITAL VOLUNTEER WORKS WONDERS : TRANSITIONAL CARE UNIT NEEDS MORE `ANGELS'.Byline: Patricia Farrell Aidem Daily News Staff Writer Asmat Begum be·gum n. 1. A Muslim woman of rank. 2. Used as a form of address for such a woman. [Urdu begam, from East Turkic begüm, first person sing. gently rubbed lotion into her patient's shaking hands, he stricken by Parkinson's disease Parkinson's disease or Parkinsonism, degenerative brain disorder first described by the English surgeon James Parkinson in 1817. When there is no known cause, the disease usually appears after age 40 and is referred to as Parkinson's disease. , she an angel in the form of a hospital volunteer. Grateful eyes followed Begum's moves as she manicured the trembling fingers, carefully caring for one of her many charges in the transitional care This article or section needs sources or references that appear in reliable, third-party publications. Alone, primary sources and sources affiliated with the subject of this article are not sufficient for an accurate encyclopedia article. unit at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital. ``I like to do some work serving the people,'' the 67-year-old Pakistani immigrant explained in halting English. ``I'm very glad to do this.'' The mother of seven grown children has been volunteering at the Valencia hospital for six years and also giving her time at the Santa Clarita Valley The Santa Clarita Valley is the valley of the Santa Clara River in Southern California. It stretches through Los Angeles County and Ventura County. Its main population center is the city of Santa Clarita. The valley was part of the 48,612-acre (19,672. Senior Center. She travels by Dial-a-Ride, arriving at each shift with a smile. ``She's one of our favorites,'' said Zee Rowe, one of the unit's activities directors. Rowe's department is looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. more volunteers like Begum, people willing to give a few hours a week to read to bedridden bed·rid·den or bed·rid adj. Confined to bed because of illness or infirmity. patients, share hobbies or talents, discuss current events, reminisce rem·i·nisce intr.v. rem·i·nisced, rem·i·nisc·ing, rem·i·nisc·es To recollect and tell of past experiences or events. [Back-formation from reminiscence. , sing and assist with activities. Those interested may call the hospital's director of volunteer services, Maria Strmsek at 253-8051 or Val Iverson at 253-8989. Transitional care patients are those who don't need acute hospital care, but aren't well enough to go home. Their stays in the unit range from three days to a few months, hospital spokeswoman Susan Mandy said. ``The outside stimulation of new faces does wonders for the patients,'' Rowe said. ``They might not always be able to show their appreciation, but they do.'' Begum's hobby is knitting and she enjoys helping with crafts at both her volunteer posts. ``Most they like me to talk to them, to help them,'' she said. ``They are very friendly.'' CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: (Color) Volunteer Asmat Begum helps patient Bob Swearingen soften his hands for a manicure at the hospital's transitional care unit. Shaun Dyer/Special to the Daily News |
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