Volunteer Training June 8

Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Mariah Smith, volunteer coordinator, says the in-person, group training has a special quality that makes a good experience for all.

“We have seen our new volunteers form strong and lasting friendships, especially when they train together, in person, and get to know each other.”

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.

Making a difference in someone’s life is easier than we sometimes think. At Hospice, volunteers are literally the heart of what we do, providing a special kind of caring and compassion for our patients and their families.

Whether it is offering a listening ear, assisting with daily household activities, providing grief support, offering companionship, or sharing your skills to help our staff and programs, the hours our volunteers give can be the most rewarding experience of their lives.

Our volunteers come from all walks of life. Some work during the day, some are retired, and others volunteer while attending school. Whatever your life and schedule allow, we can help you find an opportunity that works.

Mariah says that, 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.”

Several volunteer opportunities are listed below and include those involving direct patient and family care and opportunities that are administrative. In all cases, Hospice Care Plus staff are available to support volunteers.

Register online or by contacting Mariah at 859-986-1500 or volunteer@hospicecp.org. If you prefer to train using self-paced, online modules, complete the registration form and be sure to answer “yes” to the last question. We will contact you with instructions on how to begin.

Veteran volunteer, Bob Cotter presents a certificate of recognition to a veteran patient, as part of our We Honor Veterans program.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Home Care Volunteers: These volunteers accept ongoing or one-time matches in their community with a patient and caregiver in our home hospice or home palliative programs. 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 volunteer is there to give companionship to the caregiver or the patient. Other tasks that home volunteers might 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.

Tuck-In Volunteers: These volunteers come to 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 a report to the volunteer coordinator, who shares the information with the care teams.

Vigil Volunteers: The Vigil Volunteer Program was created to make sure that nursing home hospice who are actively dying are not alone. These are patients whose families are out of state and can’t be present. When the hospice nurse determines that the patient is actively dying and is alone, she triggers a vigil. Volunteers sign up to work back-to-back shifts. In addition to the standard new volunteer training, they receive additional training in comfort measures.

Teen Volunteers: Teens aged 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 and We Honor Veterans. If a parent trains with and accompanies them, teens may also volunteer directly with patients and families in facilities or at home.

The Breakfast Club: These volunteers meet on the first Thursday of every month. 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 sets 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 recognition ceremonies thanking veterans for their service to our country.

Hospice Care Plus was founded as a non-profit organization to support the quality of life of its communities through hospice, palliative, and bereavement care programs. We serve Estill, Jackson, Lee, Madison, Owsley, and Rockcastle counties and own and operate the Compassionate Care Center in Richmond. Relying on contributions from individuals and groups, all care is provided regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Make a gift, explore career and volunteer opportunities, or call 859-986-1500 to learn more.