Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare is offering volunteer training on Monday, April 18, at 6:30 pm, at its newly completed Marilyn B. and Mark E. Gustafson Center for Supportive Care on the campus of Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare in Wooster (1900 Akron Rd., Wooster, OH 44691). The not-for-profit community-based hospice is seeking volunteers who are interested in supporting patients and families facing a life-limiting illness or injury.

“We are greatly in need of individuals interested in supporting our patients and families. The focus of our training is on equipping people to help terminally ill persons live their lives to the fullest for as long as possible,” said Rebecca McCurdy, manager of Volunteer Services at Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare. “Through our volunteers, we look to enhance the quality of life for our patients with companionship, music, the company of certified therapy animals, and spiritual support.”

Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare is seeking the following volunteers:

• Military Veterans who are willing to support patients who are Veterans.
• Hairstylists who are willing to offer haircuts to patients who are no longer able to leave their homes.
• Multilingual speakers who can support patients for whom English is a second language.  
• Volunteers who can help family caregivers by giving them a break or assistance with household tasks.
• Animal-assisted therapy volunteers who are willing to visit patients and their families.

The volunteer training addresses the following topics: preparation in hospice history and philosophy; active listening and communication techniques; pain and symptom control; hospice care in private homes, nursing homes, and the Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare Stanley C. and Flo K. Gault Inpatient Pavilion; hands-on care; infection control; meeting the emotional needs of dying and grieving persons; spiritual care of dying and grieving persons; and bereavement care training.

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. 

“Hospice volunteering is about being a good neighbor,” McCurdy said. “It is about people of this community helping their neighbors at a critical time in their lives.” 

Even if someone isn’t sure if hospice work is for them, they are encouraged to attend the first session of training. “It’s the perfect way to find out if this is something you would like,” McCurdy said. “If you decide to join our team, you will join some of the finest people in the community who wake up every morning knowing they really make a difference for those around them.”

Those who are interested should email McCurdy at RMcCurdy@LifeCareHospice.org or call her at 330.264.4899 or 800.884.6547.

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.