Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare is offering volunteer training to members of the community who are interested in supporting patients and families facing a life-limiting illness or injury. Usually held on the Wooster campus of Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare, these training classes will be held Monday, July 24, through Friday, July 28, 9 am to 3 pm, at the Perrysville Baptist Church (118 S. Bridge St., Perrysville, OH 44864).

Volunteers play a vital role as members of the hospice care team. “Each volunteer brings unique skills and experiences to the volunteer role of their choosing,” said Elisa Stoyle, manager of Volunteer Services at Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare. “They help enhance the quality of life for our patients.”

Volunteers make an impact on patients and their families. They serve patients at the Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare Stanley C. and Flo K. Gault Inpatient Pavilion, patients in their own homes, and patients in nursing homes. As part of the American Pride® Veteran Care by Ohio’s Hospice program, Veteran volunteers honor the service of Veteran patients through recognition ceremonies.

Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare is seeking volunteers who can:

• Share music with patients who love music.
• Provide companionship for patients who are lonely.
• Provide spiritual support.
• Stay with a patient for a few hours so family members can get some rest or run errands.
• Help staff positions in the inpatient pavilion including clinical support, support of patients’ families, and administrative support.
• Provide haircuts for patients who are no longer able to travel to their hairdresser.
• Provide chaplain services a couple of times every month.
• Provide animal-assisted therapy with certified therapy pets.

An abbreviated training also is provided for those who are interested in volunteering at Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare in a non-patient role, such as administrative support, or buildings and grounds work.  

For more information or to register, please contact Elisa Stoyle at EStoyle@OhiosHospice.org or 330.264.4899.

Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare, a not-for-profit organization established in 1982, is an affiliate of Ohio’s Hospice that serves communities in northeast Ohio. It embodies the spirit of neighbors caring for neighbors with a commitment to relieve suffering, ease fears, and provide companionship along life’s last journey. Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare addresses patient and family needs wherever the patient calls home. Services also include access to the Stanley C. and Flo K. Gault Inpatient Pavilion, providing short-term patient care to manage acute symptoms, adjust medications, or stabilize patient condition. The Marilyn B. and Mark E. Gustafson Center for Supportive Care includes Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare’s Volunteer Services, the Pathways of Hope^SM Grief Counseling Center, and transportation service and support.