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A Thank You to All Who Volunteer!…National Volunteer Week

jim-dowd1Issue 13.10

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”  As we approach National Volunteer Week (April 18-24) these words of Mother Teresa represent what true volunteer service is all about and as the volunteer coordinator for Zion’s Way Home Health and Hospice I want to humbly thank all those volunteers who give of their time, and especially those who give to hospice, no matter which company they choose to work through.  Most people, unless they are involved with hospice in some way, do not appreciate the significance of hospice volunteer programs.  Volunteering in any field is a wonderful way for each of us to give back to community and to serve, but hospice is the only discipline that I am aware that is mandated by Medicare to have volunteers on staff.  In fact, federal law requires that at least 5% of all hospice patient care hours be provided by volunteers if federal reimbursement is to be ensured.

There are over 400,000 people in the U.S. who volunteer in some way with hospice care and who understand the concept that dying is not simply a medical event that we all must face one day, but an extremely personal, spiritual and individual occurrence that should not be faced alone.  Volunteering with hospice is not about sitting next to someone for a few hours and watching them die.  It is rather concerned with helping people enjoy the remaining time left of life’s journey and preparing them and their loved ones for what is to come. 

Some people say to me that they have no specific talent or qualifications to work with hospice patients and I assure them that they are perfect for the job as none are required.  Truly the only essential skill needed is the ability to listen, which bestows upon us the opportunity to learn from those who are speaking.  And what amazing things we can learn!

Of course there are occasions when our volunteers can share their own passions with patients and their families, whether through music, visiting with pets or by sharing the words from a good book, but mostly what our hospice volunteers do is provide support, which ultimately means an open ear and a caring shoulder. 

Many thanks to all those who volunteer and from all of us who work in hospice and from all the patients and caregivers hospice volunteers have helped, we want you all to know just how much you are appreciated.  And if you have thoughts or questions about volunteering and think that now might be the time to learn more please give me a call at Zion’s Way Home Health & Hospice. (688-0648).

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