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| EAST LONGMEADOW Baystate VNA & Hospice will sponsor a volunteer training course beginning in October. Baystate Hospice serves the greater Springfield area and surrounding towns including East Longmeadow. Hospice volunteers provide two or more hours of time a week lending support, companionship, and practical help to Hospice patients and their families. Volunteers usually take one patient at a time and work with that patient throughout the course of the illness; providing companionship and support, errands, transportation and respite for families. Hospice is also seeking volunteer therapists trained in massage and Reiki. Experience has shown that these therapies lessen agitation and bring peace and comfort to patients. Many people would like to help the Hospice Program but feel that are not able to make visits to the terminally ill. There are many opportunities for volunteer work in the hospice office. At this time there is a special need for people who are able to use a computer. Volunteers are required to attend a 20-hour evening training program. The training includes an introduction to hospice and the history and philosophy of the program. Hospice nurses provide insights into how they manage pain and control symptoms for patients. Social workers and Bereavement Coordinator present issues on grief and loss and the changing roles within a family. The pastoral care presentation explores spiritual issues of death and dying and how it varies within the cultural and religious traditions in this area. A listening skills workshop is presented on the fifth evening. Volunteers receive pins and a certificate of completion on the sixth evening. The training course is offered free to participants. Plenty of support, education and comradeship will be provided as you help in a deeply meaningful way. Contact Caroline Stanton, Hospice Volunteer Coordinator at 827-4472 for an application and interview. |