Hospice Volunteers
"While you have a thing it can be taken from you . . . but when you
give it, you have given it. No robber can take it from you. It is yours then forever when
you have given it. It will be yours always. That is to give." James Joyce
A Hospice Volunteer
Is a special and necessary member of the Hospice
Team.
Is caring, open, and accepting of life.
Holds an understanding of the challenges that face
families and patients when confronted with a life limiting illness.
Affirms life not just by words, but by their works.
Learns new interpersonal skills.
Makes possible what was once impossible.
Knows integrity means keeping promises to ourselves
as well as others.
Gives back to life what was given to them.
Enriches their own life by enriching the lives of
others.
WHY SHOULD I VOLUNTEER?
Hospice volunteers both give and receive many benefits from joining our program.
Volunteers set their own level of commitment based on
their available time.
As a full member of the hospice team, volunteers help
by providing care and compassion to the patient and family.
Volunteers often form close ties with family and
patient, becoming the eyes and ears of the Hospice Team.
Office volunteers, by performing a variety of
non-clinical work, enable the hospice professionals to focus their efforts on patient
care.
Without volunteers, hospices could not continue to
provide the quality compassionate care which is demanded at this difficult time of life.
As a Hospice Volunteer, You Will Receive Ongoing
Training in
Communication
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Interpersonal skills
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Family dynamics
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The grief process
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Spiritual care
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Hospice philosophy
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Emotional support of patients and families
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HOW DO I BECOME A HOSPICE VOLUNTEER?
Volunteer selection begins with attending the initial class orientation session.
Potential volunteers are identified for patient care and / or office activities based on
their personal choices, interests and talents. Individuals who choose patient
care participate in an orientation and training which includes philosophy of hospice,
communication skills, patient care, patient and volunteer rights and other topics.
Those who chose to be office volunteers can participate in the full training program or a
basic hospice orientation.
Volunteers play a crucial role in
Non-Profit Hospice to a degree true of few other non-profit agencies. The average
non-profit hospice has many more volunteers than paid staff. At Hospiceof Laurens
County, Inc. we depend on our volunteer staff not only for direct patient care, but also
for office activities and community outreach. At Hospiceof Laurens County, Inc. the
opportunities for volunteers to make a difference are as varied and individual as the
volunteers themselves.
The following are some of the many roles a volunteer can perform:
Patient & Family Care
Visit or call a patient or family member
Companionship (from simple conversations to exploring
deep feelings)
Shopping, errands, and meal preparation
Reading aloud
Listening to music together
Looking at photos together
Sharing a quiet moment together
Going on walks with patient or family
Sitting with patient so caregivers have free time
(respite)
Journaling (helping the patient record their history)
Playing games together.
Help with household chores, nutritional education,
financial matters, and funeral arrangements.
Bereavement support
Helping Office Staff
Answer phones
Typing letters
Filing and Data entry
Newsletters
Graphic arts
Running photocopier
Community outreach and volunteer recruitment
Skilled services such as carpentry, photography,
computer, electrical or decorating
Errands to stores, post office, etc.
Sending birthday and sympathy cards
Setting up for lunch and dinner meetings
If you want more information about becoming a hospice
volunteer contact us at the numbers listed at left or e-mail us at hospicelc@bellsouth.net