Lewis County Hospice
A special kind of caring, when it matters most

Volunteers

             Lewis County Hospice always welcomes new volunteers.  We will work with you to find an area of service in which you will be comfortable and which will utilize your individual skills.  Volunteers are essential to all our operations, from office activities to patient care.  Please read over the following information and consider how you can give to those in need.  For more information, contact Karen Seaver, Hospice Volunteer Coordinator, at (315) 376-5434 or karen_s@health.co.lewis.ny.us.  For news about our volunteers, read our quarterly volunteer newsletter.        (Note:  Adobe Reader is required.  A high speed Internet connection is recommended.)

Being a Hospice Volunteer

            As a Hospice volunteer who does patient care, you will be matched to a patient and their family based on their individual needs and the services you can provide. Your warmth and sincerity are the most essential aspects of your contact with each patient/family.  An attitude of openness and receptivity to the needs of the patient and family is essential to establishing a working relationship.  Regular visits and periodic phone calls to see how things are going can serve to break the ice at the beginning of a relationship and are appreciated throughout the patient’s time under Hospice care. 

            Your role is that of a friend and supporter, not an expert or authority, and therefore you are not expected to know all the answers. If a question arises that must be referred to the medical team, clarify by saying that you are there to facilitate communication and to provide other less technical support.  This kind of openness puts you on a firm footing and gives a feeling of comfort to you, to the patient, and to their family. 

We encourage you to state clearly, and even in writing, what you can and cannot offer in terms of time and availability. By asking the family to outline their needs and expectations, you can jointly determine how these needs can be filled within your own life pattern and/or work schedule. 

The concept of tuning in to the family and meeting them in terms of their own values and lifestyles is stressed.  Patient families need to know that you understand and that how they are feeling at a particular time is “OK.”  Your responsibility is to work as helpfully and harmoniously as possible within the given structure and not to try and change patterns of family interaction.  You will find that your responsibilities as a volunteer involve much more listening than talking.

            When someone is ill they want to be identified with who they are and not what their diagnosis is, so as a volunteer, it is important that you relate to the patient, not to the illness. Volunteers who have also experienced personal loss can use their experiences to better understand and help the patient.

            Volunteers are the core of Hospice care.  The time, energy, and caring that they provide is priceless. They are an integral part of the Hospice team and we could not achieve the level of care we provide without their continued support.

Volunteer Training Class

            Volunteers for Lewis County Hospice are required to take the Volunteer Training Class and complete the required paperwork before they can volunteer in any capacity.

            At the present time the Volunteer Training Class is offered twice a year- in the spring (March – May) and in the fall (September – November). The class meets once a week for ten weeks and each class is three hours long. Hospice staff along with professionals from the community provides insight and training throughout the class.

The class is open to the community. Anyone who is interested in becoming a volunteer or just wants to learn more about death and dying is welcome to take the class. For more information please contact Karen Seaver at 376-5434 or karen_s@health.co.lewis.ny.us.