Consider becoming a Hospice Volunteer — local training offered in October
Orange City Area Health System is seeking volunteers to be part of its Hospice program, and is offering a three-session Training in October. Volunteer training is Monday, October 25 from 6-9pm; Wednesday October 27 from 6-9pm; and Saturday October 30 from 9am-noon. Each session is held in Meeting Room #4 in the lower level of the health system’s Downtown Campus. Those interested in volunteering are asked to attend all three sessions.
“There are many ways to become involved with Hospice,” explains Kim Jansma, Orange City Hospice Volunteer Coordinator. “By volunteering you will touch and enrich many lives, including your own.”
According to Jansma, some volunteers will have the opportunity to make home visits that could include helping with household tasks, caring for children, running errands, playing games and preparing meals. Other volunteers serve by helping in the office with mailings, filing and working on various special projects. Finally, there are volunteers trained to work with the bereaved families, offering support and encouragement through a very difficult time in their lives. “To help make this experience truly rewarding for both the volunteer and the patient,” explains Jansma, “the Hospice team will work with each volunteer to help assess interests and skills before placement with a patient.”
Volunteers in hospice find it personally gratifying, intellectually stimulating, and emotionally meaningful to assist those in need at a critical point in their lives, reports the Hospice Foundation of America. Many of the volunteers are introduced to hospice through the death of a family member and understand firsthand the value of hospice care, but nearly 20% of volunteers are new to hospice.
If you are interested in learning more about this valuable experience, please call Kim Jansma, social worker/volunteer coordinator, Orange City Home Health and Hospice at 737-5279.