The Role of Volunteers in Hospice Care

Summary

Rebecca Griffith, Volunteer Coordinator at Open Arms Hospice, discusses her role in recruiting and training volunteers to support patients and families. With 180 volunteers, they provide non-medical care, emotional support, and resources, ensuring patient comfort and caregiver respite. Griffith shares her personal connection, having family members cared for by the hospice, and emphasizes the universal, compassionate care provided. Interested volunteers can apply online or by phone, undergoing interviews, background checks, and orientation before partnering with experienced volunteers.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Rebecca Griffith is a Volunteer Coordinator at Open Arms Hospice, responsible for recruiting, training, and orienting new volunteers.
• 🏠 Open Arms Hospice has about 180 volunteers who support both in-home care and hospice house patients.
• 🤝 Volunteers act as resources for families and patients, providing non-medical care and support to ease the burden on medical professionals.
• 👨‍⚕️ Volunteers work closely with staff, including nurses, social workers, and CNAs, to meet the needs of patients and their families.
• 🛏️ The hospice provides various support services such as hospitality, companionship, and giving caregivers a break.
• 📦 Volunteers assess and fulfill requests for items like blankets, pillows, and prayer shawls, sourcing from local community resources when needed.
• 🎵 At the hospice house, volunteers cater to patient preferences, such as setting up music or helping with entertainment devices.
• 🍏 They also ensure that patients' needs for snacks and hydration are met through initiatives like the 'Cheer Cart'.
• 💖 Rebecca's personal connection to the hospice's services is highlighted by her grandfather's care and her great aunt and uncle's recent admission.
• 👥 The hospice's care is described as compassionate and respectful, regardless of whether one is a staff member or a patient's family.
• 📝 Interested volunteers can apply online through the website, by phone, or in person at the hospice house, with a process that includes an interview, background checks, and orientation.

Q & A

What is Rebecca Griffith's role at Open Arms Hospice?

Rebecca Griffith is a Volunteer Coordinator at Open Arms Hospice, responsible for recruiting, training, and orienting new volunteers for both in-home and hospice house programs.

How many volunteers does Open Arms Hospice have at any given time?

Open Arms Hospice has about 180 volunteers at any given time.

What is the primary role of volunteers at Open Arms Hospice?

Volunteers at Open Arms Hospice serve as a resource to the family and the patient, providing support and care that is just short of medical care, which is provided by the professionals.

What kind of support do volunteers provide to the families and patients?

Volunteers provide support such as hospitality, sitting with patients, caring for them, holding hands, and giving caregivers a break, among other non-medical needs.

How do volunteers work with the hospice staff to meet patient and family needs?

Volunteers work closely with the hospice staff, including nurses, social workers, and CNAs, to assess needs and provide support, such as ensuring patients have necessary supplies or setting up entertainment like music.

What is the process for someone interested in volunteering with Open Arms Hospice?

Interested individuals can apply online on the Open Arms Hospice website, call them, or fill out a paper application available at the hospice house. After application, there is an informal interview, followed by medical background checks and required health tests before orientation and partnering with a seasoned volunteer.

How does the hospice house ensure that patients' non-medical needs are met?

The hospice house ensures non-medical needs are met by assessing the needs through staff communication, providing supplies, and working with community resources when necessary.

What is the 'Cheer Cart' mentioned in the script?

The 'Cheer Cart' is a snack cart that goes around several times a day at the hospice house, providing water, snacks, and other necessities to patients and their families.

How has Rebecca Griffith's personal experience with Open Arms Hospice influenced her work?

Rebecca Griffith's personal experience with Open Arms Hospice includes her grandfather being a patient there, and later, her great aunt and uncle receiving care. This has given her a deeper appreciation for the staff's compassion and respect for every family member.

What does Rebecca Griffith find remarkable about the care provided by Open Arms Hospice staff?

Rebecca Griffith finds it remarkable that the care provided by the staff at Open Arms Hospice is consistent and of high quality, regardless of whether the patient is a family member or someone from the community.

How does the hospice house accommodate specific patient requests, such as for music?

The hospice house accommodates specific patient requests by having volunteers who can set up music, show the family how to use the TV or CD player, and ensure the patient's preferences are met.