The Gift of Volunteering, Do You Have What It Takes?

Article submitted by Marjorie M. Thomas, Administrator of Care Alternatives Hospice, Mind, Body and Spirit.
For more information, she can be reached at 866-686-3570.

Erma Bombeck phrased it well: "Volunteers have style. They are the only human beings on the face of this earth who reflect the nation's compassion, unselfishness, caring, patience, need and just plain loving of one another."

Working in hospice is truly a calling and Hospice Volunteers are no different. They, too, understand the privilege it is to work with terminally ill patients and their families. You may think that having desire and heart are the only qualifications needed for being a volunteer in this setting but, indeed, they are a well-trained, specialized group.

Before beginning their volunteering, they must complete a Hospice Volunteer Training program for approximately 20 hours which covers a myriad of topics, including Hospice Philosophy & Ethics, Death & Dying, Communication Skills, and Bereavement. They also have medical and physical requirements, such as a physician's medical clearance and yearly PPD (tuberculin) testing. As if this weren't enough, they also sign Volunteer agreements, job descriptions, and confidentiality statements and have background checks completed. It is easy to see why we are so genuinely grateful and proud of each of the volunteers and their dedication to their work.

Once all this is completed, they are then placed with hospice patients and families within the home, nursing home or assisted living facilities and we get to watch the volunteers work their "magic". A comfort volunteer may be reading to a patient, writing a letter or running an errand for them. They are able to put aside their personal agendas for the comfort and needs of their patients.

Some Hospice organizations offer many different types of Volunteers. Frequently there are pet therapy programs where the dogs and handlers work with patients, staff and often other residents. Have you ever seen a dog put his head on the lap of a wheelchair-bound patient and watch the patient begin to come alive? It is a powerful and wonderful experience for all involved. There are also volunteers who bring their enthusiasm and joy to varied crafts and ladies groups. In these groups volunteers sometimes crochet lap blankets or make memory books for a spark of memory recall from many patients suffering from dementia.

Alternative /Complimentary programs are often offered, which are comprised of trained volunteers in some mainstream touch therapies of Massage, Reiki (energy work), Reflexology and Aromatherapy. All are a different type of gentle, hands-on touch therapy which brings a great deal of relaxation and comfort. All of these modalities work wonderfully to help ease pain/discomfort and reduce fears. It is a way for volunteers to gently work with a non verbal; bed bound patient watching for changes in breathing or relaxed muscles as signs of the benefits of their labor. The use of aromatherapy oil can contain properties to reduce anxiety, edema and terminal secretions. It is another "tool" the volunteers bring by use of hand massage for patient comfort. Overall, it is awesome to watch volunteers visiting with patients as any barriers of language and fear quickly diminish, leaving a smile as its signature for all to see.

So, is it any wonder why it is hard to restrain us from bragging on this wonderful group of people who seem to have invented the words: giving, dedication, sisterhood/brotherhood, honoring, and comfort? What a true joy it is to work with these people and I am truly grateful each time I see the eyes of a patient light up or a smile come across their face at the sight of one of our Volunteers. It doesn't get better than that!