McLean Hospice will hold a training course this fall 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 care and comfort to people facing a life-limiting illness. McLean Hospice’s comprehensive training will ensure that volunteers are competent and confident in their role.
Hospice uses a team approach with a professional staff of RNs, social workers and spiritual counselors. 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 just being there with a quiet presence. In addition to these important social support volunteers, McLean also is 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 in-person classes held at McLean in Simsbury, for a total of 20 hours of education. In-person classes will be held 9:30 a.m. to noon on Sept. 18, Oct. 2, 4, 9, 11 and 16.
To learn more about hospice volunteering and the McLean training course, please contact Chris Novak at 860-658-3907 or at Chris.Novak@McLeanCare.org