I am volunteering for hospice and need some ideas on what to do with patients to ..

Dallas: Are you talking about a Nursing Home?

We have a hospice, it is for the terminally ill and dying (they are usually too ill to play games), and it only accepts adults and even THEY have to go through training for grief counseling etc.

We also have Candy Stripers (which are teens), they, too have to go through a six-week training program. They are allowed to volunteer in other areas of the hospital, but not the hospice.

Could you clarify please:

1) Is this through the church?

2) Is this through the hospital?

3) Is there any age requirement?

4) Is there any training involved?

If we have more information about who you will be working with and what you are expected to do; we may be able to help you more.

Thanks,
§ue

 

Dallas! Hospice is only brought in when death is imminent and soon to follow. Possibly you will sit with someone while their family members run to the store or bathe... but there will be no entertaining! You might read the Bible to them or poetry...

Diane

 

Get ready to cry a lot. It is the most sorrowful time in a family's life a lot of times. For us, when my wife's dad died from Cancer, it was actually almost a relief because it was so horrible until he died. It was still very hard. I guess that my one suggestion would be that when a family calls you at 4:00 am telling you that their loved has just died, please be there for them as soon as you can. And definitely don't act put out by the call at such an early hour as the hospice person acted with us. She told us to call the coroner and refused to come out and help at all. I guess her sleep was too important. We waited for about 3 hours for the coroner to get there while her dad laid there dead in the living room. That was probably one of the worst parts. He lived in the middle of the Ouchita Mountains, far away from civilization. Just love your patience and their families as if they are your family. That will go a long way and be there for them.

Joseph Botwinick

 

I'm sure they will give you training on what you will need to do. I imagine it will mostly be just sitting with the ill person, maybe reading to them, chatting just a little.

We didn't use hospice when my husband passed away at home. Between our pastor and his wife, a few people from the pastoral care commitee at our church, friends and extended family, we really didn't need them.

Our doctor made housecalls at the last, and I am very thankful for that--he'd come at noon or on his way home from the office. And he chose to do the death pronouncement rather than the coroner--told us we could call him any time, and was here at the house within 10 minutes when we did call.

 

Dallas:

I have watched a great many people die. And I can think of only one thing they wished. To have someone to talk to. To have a smile brighten thier day. Don't be nervous. God is going to do great things with you here. I just know it. It will be difficult, but just be a freind. Some will be angry, just remember that they are scared and bitter.

I wish I could help more

God Bless you and i'll keep you in my prayers!