Hospice Training Information
It's federal law, at least for Medicare and Medicaid patients, that at least 5 percent of hospice patient care hours be provided by trained volunteers. Most people who volunteer with a hospice program took care of a friend or relative who was in hospice. Simply put, hospice is a program of compassion.
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Philosophy of Care
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In your hospice training, you'll learn the philosophy that dying is not just a medical event, but a personal one as well. Hospice's purpose is not to necessarily extend life, but to make the dying person's journey a gentler experience, filled not with sterile walls and cold caregivers, but in an environment of compassion, comfort and dignity.
Where to Train
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Although there are specific standards of training mandated by the federal government, each particular hospice has slightly different training. Contact your local hospice and find out the specifics of its particular program. Some hospices have a training program in place, others will send you to online training classes. The national foundation for hospices is a good place to start.
Hospice Foundation of America
1710 Rhode Island Ave. NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036
1-800-854-3402
hospicefoundation.org -
Opportunities
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You'll find many opportunities for service in hospice. Training will vary, depending on how you plan to spend your time volunteering for hospice. Beyond support for patients and caregivers, other opportunities include child care, bereavement support groups, fundraising and administrative duties.
What You'll Learn
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You'll learn your duties and responsibilities as a hospice volunteer, who to contact and procedures to follow if assistance or instructions are needed. Hospice goals, service and philosophy will be covered. You'll learn about confidentiality and patient's and family rights. Other training includes family dynamics, coping mechanisms and issues you may encounter regarding terminal illness, death and bereavement.
Misconceptions
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It isn't true that hospice is were you go when there is nothing else to do. As you'll learn in your training, there is something you can do for a dying patient--provide comfort, care, tenderness and dignity, and help the people taking care of their terminally ill friends and relatives.
Benefits
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At the end of the day, you'll know you did something of meaning. Reaching out to someone else often helps you deal more efficiently and calmly with your own life.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit elderly women image by leafy from Fotolia.com
