 Volunteers work with patients and families in 14 counties throughout
central Illinois. More than 60 volunteers currently serve as
volunteers at Memorial Home Services Hospice. Their work ranges from
offering direct assistance to patients and their families to helping
in the hospice office."Volunteers are an integral part of the
hospice program, providing companionship, assisting with errands and
chores, offering bereavement support, and even offering assistance
in the hospice office," said Becky Gabany, volunteer and community
education coordinator with Memorial Home Services Hospice.
Prior to becoming a volunteer, individuals must complete a brief
interview as well as attend a six-session training course.
Interviews are being scheduled during August.
The training course will meet once a week, beginning Sept. 19
from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The course offers an introduction to the
hospice philosophy and general guidelines for volunteering.
"Families greatly benefit from the assistance of a volunteer,"
said Ronda Dudley, director of home health and hospice at Memorial
Home Services. "Each volunteer brings his or her unique talents and
abilities to their work with patients. That's the great thing about
being a volunteer. Individuals can give of their time in a number of
ways."
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Hospice support also continues after the death of a loved one,
with bereavement care extended to family and friends, Dudley said.
While family and friends are grieving, volunteers support them by
attending funerals or memorial services, maintaining phone contact
during the bereavement period, and providing emotional support and
companionship as well as education about the grief process, she
said.
For more information about volunteer opportunities, contact
Gabany at 217-788-3870.
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Memorial Home Services Hospice
[Text from file received from
Memorial Medical Center]
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