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Community Corner

Regional Hospice and Home Care Volunteer Training Set for March

Join the Volunteer Team at Regional Hospice and Home Care of Western CT—March Training Set

 

DANBURY, CT – Want to make an impact on other people’s lives?  Join Regional Hospice and Home Care of Western CT’s family support and bereavement volunteer team.  Training sessions are scheduled for Monday through Thursday, March 3 – 6 and March 10 – 13. Sessions will be held 6 to 9 p.m. at the Regional Hospice Headquarters in the Matrix Corporate Center, 39 Old Ridgebury Road, Danbury.  An application, interview, references and background check are required.

 

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“When a volunteer calls or walks in the door it brightens our patients’ days,” says Mary Beth Hickey, the volunteer manager.  “It can make such a difference to a family to know that someone will be there for a visit.”

 

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Spending time with a volunteer often allows patients to forget about their serious medical issues and focus on enjoying activities.  Whether playing cards, looking at family photos, running errands or listening to a patient tell his stories, it is meaningful time together for both the patient and the volunteer.  Family support volunteers provide companionship for patients and much-needed respite for caregivers, typically two to four hours per week.

 

There are also opportunities to help grieving people overcome the emptiness that often accompanies loss.  Bereavement volunteers make personal visits and phone calls, or can assist with grief support groups offered by the Healing Hearts Center for Grieving Children & Families and within the community. 

 

Volunteers receive appropriate training so they will feel confident walking into patients’ homes or talking with grieving family members.  Our professionally-led training program will provide an introduction to the hospice philosophy of patient and family care and will also focus on supporting those who are experiencing grief and loss, and how to be a supportive listener.  The role of both family support and bereavement volunteers will be fully explained and all volunteer opportunities will be discussed.

 

As the need for hospice care increases in Western Connecticut, there is a growing need for additional family support volunteers, especially bilingual volunteers.  Anyone interested in exploring Regional Hospice and Home Care volunteer opportunities may contact Mary Beth Hickey at 203-702-7415 (email: mhickey@RegionalHospiceCT.org).

An application, interview, references and background check are required. 

Space is limited, so register early.

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