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Next Reply: Re:Volunteers for PC Patients
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Post Volunteers for PC Patients
Author: LKrall
Date: Oct 29, 2009 11:13 am
Would like to know if other PC programs offer volunteers for sitting, running errands, etc. for palliative care patients. This is one area I have not seen much information or guidance on. Could this be in any way considered inducement? Thank you.
Replies: order by [Date] [Author] [Subject]
Re:Volunteers for PC Patients (by Eva on 10/29/2009)
We started a volunteer program specifically for our Palliative care patients about four months ago. I would be happy to answer questions or share any of our info. You can email me directly at ezivitz@rrmc.org
Eva
Re:Volunteers for PC Patients (by ntasker on 10/29/2009)
We have a very active Volunteer program consisting of about 12 volunteers. We try to have volunteers available 7days/week. We have had wonderful comments from patients and families regarding how much they enjoy them. Send me an e-mail if you want more info.
Nadine
+ Re:Volunteers for PC Patients (by DebNicholson on 10/30/2009)
Hello, We also have volunteer services called vigil companions. Both the volunteer and patients/families find this fulfilling and helpful. I don't think this is considered an enticement. Please feel free to e-mail me if you want info on how we train our volunteers. Or questions.
Re:Volunteers for PC Patients (by jdurnil on 10/30/2009)
We have 2 Pastoral care training programs. The first one is for volunteers who want to either volunteer in the hospital or use the training in their own faith tradition. The second requires attending the first training, and is focused on those who are at the end of life. We call our end of life volunteers Doulas. The instructor for both volunteer training programs is a former CPE supervisor. Both programs have 30 hrs of class time and 10 hrs of clinical visiting. All the volunteers have chaplain mentors. We are in the second year of the Doula program with a total of 10 volunteers. It has been very well accepted by not only our Palliative care team, but other units as well. Let me know if you would like information about our programs

Jim Durnil
Froedtert Hospital
Milwaukee, WI
Re:Volunteers for PC Patients (by jdurnil on 10/30/2009)
I apologize for the last post because I thought it fell under the Chaplains post. Our end of life volunteers are trained in a mini course similar to the 1600 hrs of clinical training (Clinical Pastoral Education or CPE) that chaplains go through. They are part of the Chaplaincy Department, but the end of life Doulas are there to journey with patients and families at the end of life. If Patients/families want more of spiritual focus, they do that. But they are there to bring comfort and support.
Re:Volunteers for PC Patients (by pete_nlh on 11/19/2009)
In the UK the volunteer sector is very strong. We have volunteers for sitting, bringing people into the Day centre of the Hospice by car and even sitting on the ward where the patient is anxious and relatives are unabvle to come in. WE provide full induction training including manual handling. They also are involved in our bereavement counselling.

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