By Susan Ashworth—
Hospice at HCS is offering a volunteer training program in March for those who are interested in becoming volunteers. The training will begin on March 20 and continue on Tuesday mornings from 9 am to noon through May 22.
Sessions will be held at Home Healthcare, Hospice and Community Services at 312 Marlboro Street in Keene. Topics of the 27-hour training include grief and bereavement, the spiritual aspects of dying, communication skills, care for the caregiver, and family dynamics. Volunteers are members of the hospice care team, providing support to the patient and to family members. After completing the training, volunteers assist hospice patients with interests such as writing letters, reading, playing board games, scrap booking, or may accompany a patient to a community event or to visit friends. Volunteers also provide respite to family caregivers. Hospice volunteers are especially needed during the day, but time can be very flexible and work around job and travel commitments.
Hospice at HCS provides end of life care in Dublin and throughout the Monadnock region. Care is provided in homes and in assisted living and nursing homes; volunteers are needed to offer support to patients and families in all settings.
The training program is offered free of charge, but registration is necessary. To register, call Lorraine Bishop, Hospice at HCS Volunteer Coordinator at 352-2253 or lbishop@nullHCSservices.org.
Hospice at HCS will offer a Writing Workshop on Wednesdays from March 7 to April 11, from 5 pm to 6:30 pm at HCS, 312 Marlboro St. in Keene. You do not need to be a writer to join the workshop, which is open to anyone who has lost someone close to them. There is no charge; call Lynn Anne Palmer at 352-2253 to register.
Susan Ashworth is Director of Community Relations at Home Healthcare, Hospice and Community Services (HCS; www.HCSservices.org) in Keene, with offices in Peterborough.