Volunteers

Volunteers play an integral and valued role in the provision of care to patients. As members of the community, volunteers enhance the quality of life for patients and their families through participation in approved volunteer programs. Volunteer programs enhance, complement, and strengthen the quality of care provided by professional staff.

Palliative volunteers provide emotional, physical and social support to the patient/resident/client and families who choose to have the support, whether it is in the hospital and or home. Some of the tasks this volunteer would complete include:

• Support residents/patients/clients during their last stages of life if there is no family support or the family needs assistance in their homes or the hospital.

• Provide companionship and caring support and or offer respite for primary caregivers.

• Offer vigil sitting when requested

• Volunteers need to be mature and sensitive, with good communication and interpersonal skills.

• Give support to a patient/resident/client and family experiencing difficulties in dealing with terminal illness and the end stages of life.

• Support the client and their family—visits, small errands, telephone calls, assistance to medical appointments.

• Provide support and comfort in the last hours of life

• Volunteer activities may be carried out in the hospital/ long term care unit/client’s home.

• Volunteers do not give direct patient care (e.g. personal care, toileting, bathing). Volunteers do not transfer or lift under any circumstances.

• Must have Palliative Care Volunteer Training (or equivalent).

We have started a Threshold Choir as a new palliative support we offer for patients and families across our community and care facilities. Patients and families can invite trained volunteers to sing songs of comfort at the bedside at the end of life. To request a visit, volunteer or for more information contact: janessa.reimer@ahs.ca (Volunteer Coordinator) or Claresholmpalliativecare@gmail.com (Palliative Commitee).

Volunteers Needed!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – and we need a few helping hands (and big hearts) to make it shine…