New Volunteer Training July 24

Hospice Care Plus is hosting a training for new volunteers on Saturday, July 24. Though originally the plan was to hold this as an in-person training, we have chosen to meet via Zoom due to the recent escalation of COVID-19 cases locally.

The training is for individuals who would like to help provide care and support for those with a serious illness, their caregivers, and the bereaved, either directly or indirectly, in the communities served by Hospice Care Plus: Estill, Jackson, Lee, Madison, Owsley, and Rockcastle counties.

Pre-registration is required and can be completed online or by calling 859-626-9292.

Stefanie Manes, volunteer coordinator, says regardless of how much time you can give to volunteering, there is something that will fit everyone’s schedule.

“Even if you only have an hour a month to give, we can find a way for you to help,” says Stefanie.

There are opportunities working with patients and caregivers or in non-patient care roles, such as helping with mailings, office support, and more.

Several programs give new volunteers a wealth of choices. All programs are listed below. In all cases and programs, Hospice Care Plus staff are available to support volunteers.

To learn more or to register for the training, contact Stefanie. You can also follow the New Volunteer Training event page on Facebook.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Home Hospice Volunteers: These volunteers accept ongoing or one-time matches in their community with a patient and caregiver in our home hospice program. Often, the volunteer helps give the caregiver a break by visiting with the patient for a couple of hours once a week or every two weeks. This gives the caregiver a chance to shop, go to a doctor’s appointment, or simply get out of the house for a bit. There are also times when the volunteers is there to give companionship to the caregiver. Other tasks that home volunteers help with include providing transportation to an appointment, bringing a meal, or making supportive phone calls.

Compassionate Care Center Volunteers: At the Center, volunteers accept regular shifts working the front desk. They greet visitors, help visitors sign in and out, answer phone calls, stock the hospitality cart, and more. The shifts can be weekly, monthly, or whatever works for the volunteer. (Note: At this time, front-desk volunteers help conduct COVID-19 screening for visitors.)

Tuck-In Volunteers: These volunteers come to the Berea central office or the Compassionate Care Center on some Thursdays to make phone calls to home hospice patients. The purpose of the calls is to make sure the patient and caregiver have everything they need—are “all tucked in”—before the weekend (medications, supplies, equipment). After completing the calls, the volunteer gives report to nurses by text.

Berea Office Volunteers: Office volunteers accept shifts to help answer phones and assist with simple tasks during regular office hours.

Vigil Volunteers: The Vigil Volunteer Program was created to make sure that nursing home hospice patients do not have to die alone. These are patients whose family are out-of-state and can’t be present when their loved one is dying. When the hospice nurse determines that the patient is actively dying and is alone, she triggers a vigil. Volunteers sign-up to work in 4-hour shifts, back-to-back, until the patient passes away. In addition to the standard new volunteer training, they receive an additional three hours of training in comfort measures.

Teen Volunteers: Teens age 14 and up are welcome to volunteer with us, especially at the Compassionate Care Center. Teens may also work in other programs, such as the Breakfast Club, We Honor Veterans, and Berea Office Volunteers.

The Breakfast Club: These volunteers meet on the first Thursday of every month in our Berea office. They gather around 9 a.m. and help with a group administrative task for about two hours. They may make bags of medical gloves, help assemble admission packets, etc. This group enjoys their work and each other, and often set up other social gatherings just for Breakfast Club participants.

We Honor Veterans Volunteers: Our hospice participates in the national We Honor Veterans (WHV) program, which means we are committed to providing specialized care to meet the unique needs of veteran patients. WHV Volunteers are veterans who agree to be matched with veteran patients, and/or are willing to help us with bedside recognition ceremonies thanking veterans for their service to country.