Hospice Cares for You

Community Contributed by Patricia Tancayo

April 10-16 is National Volunteer Week, and Hospice Hawaii on Molokai encourages one and all to volunteer with hospice care. There were an estimated 468,000 volunteers working in hospices in 2009 – the average devoting 46.6 hours of time in 2009.

Our trained volunteers contribute to the quality of patient care and bereavement support for families. Volunteers often say they receive far more than they give during the time shared with patients.

Patient visitor volunteers provide companionship, respite, do chores, run errands and help with light physical care for patient and/or family. Bereavement volunteers provide support to families after the death of a loved one, through telephone calls and/or visits, and facilitate or assist with bereavement support groups and memorial services. Office volunteers help with filing, computer work, telephone, mailings and general office duties.

To become a volunteer, contact Hospice Hawaii-Molokai for information about the different volunteer opportunities and to receive a confidential application form. After we receive your completed application, we will contact you for a personal interview and orientation to our organization. Following this interview, you can identify which opportunities you feel would best suit your talent and interests. Hospice provides comprehensive 16-hour training for all patient visitor and bereavement volunteers. Following this training, you and an appropriate staff member will meet to discuss your assignment and commitment as a volunteer at Hospice.

Call Cathy Karras at 553-4310 for more information.