Opportunities From: HandsOn Twin Cities

The vigil volunteer provides a supportive presence to dying patients and families when symptoms are under control. The vigil volunteer’s presence is a valuable gift. The vigil volunteer successfully completes vigil volunteer training in addition to friendly visitor training. The vigil volunteer training focuses on the needs of the dying patient and their family. The training includes signs of death and dying during the last hours of the patient’s life, as well as faith practice and cultural differences related to dying.

In hospice, one of the primary goals of care is to relieve a patient’s suffering. The vigil volunteer provides a supportive presence to actively dying patients and their families. When a patient faces the process of dying, coping skills can be taxed and suffering can ensue. Vigil volunteers and other hospice team members can help provide the patient with the most valuable gift - a loving presence.

No one understands the questions and concerns of a U.S. military veteran more than a fellow veteran. That’s why ProMedica/Heartland has developed the Vets-to-Vets program, in which volunteers with similar backgrounds can meet with and assist in the care of U.S. military veteran patients.

Veteran volunteers offer support for veteran patients and caregivers by celebrating and recognizing their contributions to America’s freedom. Veteran volunteers complete the training material found in this manual and are available to provide the services listed below after receiving instructions from the volunteer coordinator. Veteran volunteers are under the direct supervision of the volunteer coordinator.

Following are some examples of veteran patient assignments: • Participating in veteran pinning ceremonies • Offering support through regular companionship visits • Making assurance phone calls • Recording patient’s life history • Reminiscing • Sitting with veteran patient while caregiver leaves

The tuck-in volunteer role is a vital one to the hospice team. The tuck-in volunteer offers phone support to patients who reside in a private residence or in a facility. Our goal is for each patient who may be fragile, anxious or who has had a change in the level of care, to receive a tuck-in call prior to the weekend. Tuck-in volunteers provide support to hospice patients and staff by conducting phone calls to patients/families to assure they have the necessary supplies, medications, and/or support.

Pet visitor volunteers assist with providing comfort and emotional support to patients and their families through therapeutic pet visits. There are two components to a pet visitor volunteer: the handler and the pet. It is most common that dogs are pet visitor volunteers; however, other pets (e.g., cats, miniature horses) may be considered pet volunteers as well. Animal–assisted interactions (which includes animal assisted activities or therapy) provide opportunities for motivational, educational, recreational and/or therapeutic benefits to enhance quality of life for patients and families. Animal-assisted interactions are delivered by specifically trained professionals, paraprofessionals, and/or volunteers in association with animals that meet specific criteria. These trained handlers have successfully completed an evaluation and training course that meets the requirements of an appropriate accrediting agency. Approved accrediting agencies include, Pet Partners, Project Canine, Therapy Dog’s International, or Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Other credentialing agencies are reviewed to ensure adherence to industry standards and approved by the volunteer coordinator. Documentation of credentialing is be kept in the handler’s personnel file in accordance with policy. Completion of a good citizen obedience program is not sufficient for pet utilization.

FRIENDLY VISITOR/COMPANION VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers who visit with patients offer companionship, emotional support and aid in decreasing isolation. Furthermore, respite volunteers provide families/caregivers with a much-needed break for various reasons, like running errands, getting groceries and going to appointments. Friendly visitor/companion volunteers complete the training material found in this manual and are available to provide many of the services listed below after receiving instructions from the volunteer coordinator. Friendly visitor/companion volunteers are under the direct supervision of the volunteer coordinator. Following are some examples of patient assignments: • Offering companionship • Reading a newspaper or book • Being a caring presence • Taking a walk outside or around the facility • Playing music • Preparing a meal • Cleaning the dishes • Capturing a patient’s life history • Playing board games • Knitting or crocheting • Mowing the lawn • Looking at old photos • Reminiscing • Starting a load of laundry • Sitting with patient while caregiver leaves

THE MOST IMPORTANT NEED OF THE BEREAVED

Often, the bereaved need to be listened to and have feelings accepted and validated, and to make the journey through grief process at their own pace. It is not uncommon for well-meaning people, loved ones and strangers alike, to encourage the bereaved to be strong and to deny their pain by having an attitude of gratitude, or to believe that “moving on” can happen within days or weeks of the loss of a loved one. It has been said that this culture is uncomfortable with issues surrounding death. This may be because many are reluctant to accept the limitations that reality places on the ability to control one’s lives. For the bereaved, finding a person who will walk with them through grief and who can accept all the often-conflicting feelings without passing judgment is a priceless treasure. As a volunteer, the role is not to fix the grief, it is the privilege of being a companion, a facilitator, and a mirror of the healing process.

Volunteers who offer services in the hospice office setting provide valuable services for hospice. Office volunteers complete the training material found in this manual and are available to provide many of the services listed below after receiving instructions from the volunteer coordinator. Office volunteers are under the direct supervision of the volunteer coordinator. If the office volunteer desires to have patient contact, they complete additional training specifically designed for patient interaction.

Following are some examples of duties performed by an office volunteer: • Filing, typing and answering phones • Mailing of bereavement newsletters, or public service announcements requesting hospice volunteers • Assembling volunteer workshop manuals and in-service packets • Assisting with preparation and setup for volunteer workshops • Posting requests for volunteers in various community locations (supermarkets, libraries, recreation centers, colleges, universities, etc.) • Copying in-services, forms, or other materials • Performing inventory of hospice supplies • Administering hospice library of books and tapes • Assembling marketing and education packets • Filing of accounts payable invoices

SPECIAL PROJECT VOLUNTEER Volunteers who offer talents by providing the patients with arts and crafts as well as other special activities are vital in providing indirect support to the patients and caregivers. The special project volunteers complete the training material found in this manual and may provide any number of the services listed below. Special project volunteers (no direct patient contact and minimal contact in the office) are not required to complete TB screening (administrative volunteers are required to complete TB screening). If the special project volunteer desires to have patient contact, responsibility to complete additional training especially designed for patient interaction and TB screening is necessary. Following are some examples of duties performed by special project volunteers: • Arts and crafts • Quilts, afghans, bibs, slippers, and lap robes • Create cards for holidays and special occasions • Manning booth at health fairs • Assisting with memorial services such as helping to provide food and greeting bereaved families • Assisting with marketing for volunteers and hospice