McLean Hospice
This spring, McLean Hospice will hold a training course for people interested in becoming hospice volunteers. The only requirement for this meaningful and rewarding volunteer position is a compassionate heart and a belief in the hospice philosophy of providing the best possible comfort and care to people facing a life-limiting illness. McLean Hospice will provide comprehensive training that will ensure you are competent and confident in your volunteer role.
Hospice uses a team approach with a professional staff of RNs, social workers, and spiritual counselors to treat the body, mind, and spirit of a hospice patient. Volunteers supplement the professional team with visits that can include providing companionship, socializing, listening, reading, playing music, giving a wheelchair ride, holding hands, and simply being there with a quiet presence. In addition to these important social support volunteers, McLean is also seeking volunteers for specialized services such as Reiki, music therapy, and pet therapy.
Hospice volunteers visit patients wherever they live – in their own home, an assisted living community, or a nursing home. McLean Hospice serves the towns of the Farmington Valley as well as Bloomfield, Windsor, and West Hartford. Assignments usually are one hour once a week for the time the patient is with us.
The training is a combination of home study and live classes held at McLean in Simsbury, for a total of 20 hours of education. Classes will be held 9:30 a.m. – noon on March 28, April 20, April 25, April 27, May 2, and May 4. To learn more about enhancing the life of a hospice patient and the McLean training course, please contact Chris Novak at 860-658-3907 or Chris.Novak@McLeanCare.org. You may also view the McLean website at mcleancare.org/health-services/hospice/
Farmington Valley – Visiting Nurse Association
Are you a compassionate person who loves to provide companionship, provide a listening ear, and help someone smile? Consider being a Hospice Volunteer with the Farmington Valley Visiting Nurse Association.
Hospice volunteers visit people wherever they live in their private home, an assisted living, or a skilled nursing home. Volunteers are there to provide companionship by visiting, holding a hand, reading, and taking people outside. Volunteers can play piano, do artwork, read books, or provide music, write poetry; simply be there with the person and help brighten their day.
The benefits of helping others are tremendous. Many of our volunteers say they are enriched and encouraged by their new friendships.
Volunteers are trained and undergo a screening process to ensure they are the right fit. If you work, there are opportunities available for volunteers to visit patients after hours. There is always a need for a comforting presence and companionship. Also, if you have a pet trained and certified in Pet Therapy, they are an excellent addition to our hospice volunteer program and loved by the patients.
Please contact Pam Gordon at 860-651-3539 or pgordon@farmingtonvalleyvna.org for more information.