Hospice Volunteers
Phelps Regional Homecare has a dedicated team of hospice volunteers who bring comfort and support to hospice patients and families.
Did you know?
- Hospice volunteers help in situations when nurses are not needed. They can sit and hold a patient’s hand, read to them, speak with them. The things that volunteers do are very special and unique to each patient. They try to help with any special requests. They may run errands, and we have one volunteer that likes to handy work such as mowing grass, raking leaves, etc.
- All hospice volunteers go through the first of PCRMC employee and volunteer training. After that, I meet with them one-on-one. We have three very informative DVDs that we show all hospice volunteers. We’ll also go over any questions they have.
- There are no scheduling specifications to be a hospice volunteer. If someone works during the day, the can opt to volunteer only during the evenings. Some may prefer just to volunteer at nursing homes, and that is fine too. The schedule is 100 percent flexible – it’s up to each volunteer to decide what they do and when they do it.
- Come in and talk to us if you are interested in becoming a hospice volunteer. We can go over the details of what volunteers can do, and we can share stories from other hospice volunteers about their experiences.
Volunteer Stories
Have you ever wondered what it would take to be a hospice volunteer? Meet Barbara Grimm and Sharon Daughton, twoof Phelps Regional Homecare’s dedicated team of hospice volunteers. Read what they have to say about hospice and being a hospice volunteer.
Name: Barbara Grimm
Phelps Regional Homecare hospice volunteer since: 2003
Why did you decide to become a hospice volunteer?
"I had volunteered in hospice for 10 years in Oklahoma, and I really enjoyed the experience. I felt like I wanted to do something for other people, but I had very limited time. When I first started, I told the coordinator I thought I only had about an hour each week, and they said that was fine. So I was lined up with my first patient. When we moved to Rolla, I wanted to continue in hospice volunteering."
What tasks and activities do you perform as a hospice volunteer?
"I principally work with the patient, and I do a lot of caregiver respite. I’ll go and sit with the patient so the caregiver can go and get out for awhile. I’ve also had patients in nursing homes who just appreciate having a visitor.
I also conduct a bereavement support group for men. We were finding that if men decided to go to our bereavement support group, they would go and be the only man there. We had several men lose their wives around the same time, so I was asked to work with them. It’s been very rewarding. A man who lost his wife in October joined the group, and the other members all gave him their phone numbers in case he needed them during the holidays."
What is the biggest challenge you face as a hospice volunteer?
"The biggest challenge for me is having a patient who is not communicative. It makes it hard for you to know how to satisfy their needs and wants.
An exception to this is sometimes volunteers are called to sit with a patient who actually dying. At this point, they’re not communicating. You go there and you sit with them, and it’s your presence that matters."
What was your initial perception of hospice and how has it changed?
"I had read very little about hospice before volunteering. When I was in Oklahoma, I happened to see an article in the newspaper that said training was being offered for hospice volunteers. When I moved here, I thought it would be a good continuation.
Usually, a lot of volunteers have experienced hospice. I was the reverse. When my mother was dying, we did not call hospice until the last few days. The hospice nurse was able to switch my mother’s pain medication, making it much more effective. It was a relief just knowing that we could call someone, because hospice is available 24/7. When I realized the impact it had on my family, even though it was only a few days, I became a true believer in hospice."
Name: Sharon Daughton
Phelps Regional Homecare hospice volunteer since: 2006
Why did you decide to become a hospice volunteer?
"I’ve been volunteering for various organizations since 1981. I move a lot with my husband – this is my 16th move within our 42 years of marriage. I’ve volunteered in hospitals, especially in gift shops. It’s a slow paced environment, and I was looking for something that would give me more opportunities to touch someone’s life. I have had several family members go through hospice, and I am good friends with Barb. Barb encouraged me to give hospice volunteering a try.
I like the connection with people – it’s a very intimate experience for me. When I first started volunteering, I felt a little awkward, being that involved with other people. My family was very private, growing up. However, I have had several very rewarding experiences as a hospice volunteer. It’s really something to share the end-of-life experience with someone."
What tasks and activities do you perform as a hospice volunteer?
"Primarily, I do respite care for the family of patients. I read to patients and we listen to music together. We talk about their memories and their lives. Sometimes you have patients in nursing homes who might not be as communicative as other patients. In those cases, I let them know I’m there and sit with them for awhile.
I also do office work for Phelps Regional Homecare. I do bereavement mailings and keep track of volunteer hours."
What is the biggest challenge you face as a hospice volunteer?
"An unresponsive patient, especially in a nursing home environment, can be challenging. Without the family there to direct you, it can be difficult to know what the patient would appreciate.
I also find that when one of my patients dies, it can be difficult. Being able to share the actively dying phase with someone is a wonderful thing. There are many things in common that we each experience. But when the patient does pass, it can be very difficult. Sometimes we have been visiting them for a long time. It can rip your heart."
What was your initial perception of hospice and how has it changed?
"I had four of my family members use hospice for the latter stages of their dying process. They were all hyper anxious, scared about dying, worried about the pain and afraid they couldn’t tolerate it. I watched hospice come in and help them with those two biggest worries – they helped relieve their anxieties and pain. Hospice was always available, so we didn’t have to feel bad about calling them in the middle of the night. The nurses were very compassionate.
I think that when you see that in your own life, what a worth while thing hospice is, you decide to try it. I was sure if I could handle it, but volunteering has been wonderful."
Contact Phelps Regional Homecare
Contact Alesa Birdsong and learn more about becoming a hospice volunteer at (573) 364-2425.