In-Person Volunteer Training Oct. 21

Hospice Care Plus is hosting an in-person training for new volunteers on Saturday, Oct. 21, 9:30 AM to 5 PM, at the Madison County Public Library in Richmond. Register today to secure your spot!

Online, self-paced training is still available for those who prefer it. Please sign up here for virtual training.

We will provide lunch and refreshments for the Oct. 21 training.

Mariah Smith, the volunteer coordinator at Hospice Care Plus, 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 for patients, 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.

Barbara Rupard volunteers at the front desk at our Compassionate Care Center.

Barbara Rupard has volunteered at our Compassionate Care Center since 2019.  For her, volunteering was inspired by retirement and a personal experience at the Center.

“After 31 years of employment at EKU, I knew that when I retired, I wanted to be a volunteer and stay busy.   While staying with a friend receiving care at the Compassionate Care Center, I experienced the wonderful care she received. My time spent with Hospice Care Plus is such a joy because I am surrounded by those who truly care for others.”

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 allows, Hospice Care Plus works with each volunteer to find an opportunity that will work.

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.”

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

All programs are listed below. In all cases and programs, Hospice Care Plus staff are available to support volunteers.

Register online or by contacting Mariah at 859-986-1500 or hospice@hospicecp.org.

You can also follow the New Volunteer Training Facebook event page.

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. 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, conduct COVID visitor screening, 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.

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 families 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 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.

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. The organization serves Estill, Jackson, Lee, Madison, Owsley, and Rockcastle counties and owns and operates 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.