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The volunteer fills the role of a helpful neighbor, doing whatever is needed to make it easier for the caregiver
and other family members to spend time with their loved one. However, it is often the emotional support provided by
the volunteer that is most important and most appreciated. Also, a volunteer can assist with the many support
activities needed to run a hospice. Volunteers can make bereavement phone calls, help with fund-raising activities
or with clerical duties, do special projects and mailings, or contribute in other ways, such as cooking, sharing
musical talents, pet therapy, and massage or therapeutic touch.
Volunteers: The Heart of Hospice
Volunteers play an extremely important role in hospice nationwide. In fact, most hospices would not
be able to carry on their work.
Of the 115,000 persons involved in hospice care in America, some 95,000 are volunteers
and each year they give more than 5 million hours to helping dying persons and their
families.
They provide assistance at all levels of skill. Many are relatives and friends of
former hospice patients who, having seen how much hospice can help, want to contribute
to its good work. To qualify to assist in patient care, volunteers must complete a
special training program.
Sparrow Hospice Services would be happy to have you call or visit to find out more
about hospice volunteer work.
Volunteer Application Information
Janice Haynes, RN
Sparrow Hospice Services
Volunteer Coordinator
St. Lawrence Campus
1210 W. Saginaw
Lansing, Michigan 48915-1999
517.364.7200 or 888.636.8236
Hospice Volunteer Training Program
Volunteers go through five different training sessions on how to provide hospice care.
The first session provides the history and philosophy of hospice. This includes why
hospice is needed, the development of hospice, goals of care, and Sparrow Hospice
Services. This session also discusses discipline and responsibilities of each
hospice team member, personality and values, and self awareness discussions.
Session two covers understanding the dying patient. This includes concerns of
the dying, and final messages and communication. Concerns of the family are also covered
with six areas of concern and how to help. The volunteer learns empathy skill:
how to communicate and listen, and is involved in role playing exercises.
Spirituality and volunteer rights and responsibilities are covered in the third session.
Policies and procedures, including the patient bill of rights, ethics and confidentiality,
standard precautions, latex allergy, fire safety and much more are discussed.
Session four reviews grief and the grief process: sequential reactions to loss,
common myths about grief, signs of complicated grief, children and grief, and cultural
differences. An overview of the bereavement program, bereavement support calls, and
documentation are also covered.
The final session covers the diagnoses and disease process, use of massage
oils and their benefits and assisting with mobility, comfort, and grooming.
Standard precautions, including use of gloves and proper hand washing procedures, are also covered.
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