Volunteer opportunities at Hospice of the North Country

PLATTSBURGH | At Hospice of the North Country, dignity, comfort and quality of life are part of life's final chapter. "We understand that each patient's situation is unique, which is why we develop an individualized plan of care to provide the right services," the support non-profit says of its mission. And that mission includes a trained group of compassionate volunteers who offer socialization and respite for people and families working through end-of-life care. Director of Volunteer Services Julie Rowe said they have planned two informational sessions in March for people in the community interested in learning more. Volunteer support includes direct patient support and office support. Hours generally do not exceed six hours a week, but often can be as little as two-four hours per month. Volunteer visits are coordinated by Rowe and with the patient's family, giving primary caregivers a chance to get to appointments or run errands or simply to provide a patient companionship. "Working with people under hospice care can encompass visits in their place of residence," Rowe said. "Our volunteers go to a number of properties, responding to requests from families for respite or socialization. Our support volunteers provide companionship, allowing caregivers to go out for a couple of hours." Volunteer support may involve light meal preparation, conversation, or just working on puzzles, reading or simply being there. "Wherever a person lives, wherever their residence, we will go," Rowe said. "Hospice of the North Country (HONC) covers all of Clinton County and the northern tier of Franklin County." TRAINING HONC volunteers are trained in the fundamentals of hospice, she said. Tasks do not involve medical support or services provided by trained clinical staff. "Volunteers don't handle medications or any hands-on personal care. It's a hands-off approach for home visits. Some of our volunteers are amazed that they are able to do this work," she said. "It's a matter of having a mindset to help. "They subtly provide support and improve quality of life. A sense of fulfillment comes with knowing they helped not only a patient, but also a family. For family members, it's a help just knowing they have an additional resource; knowing there is someone to give them just a little extra support. Our volunteers offer more time for a little social interaction, another set of ears just to listen." Some patients in hospice care have no family nearby. Sometimes the family is small, a husband and wife. Sometimes caregivers need time for self-care. "I think the volunteers feel that even a little bit makes a difference," Rowe said. FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE "When we bring an individual on as a volunteer, they are treated the same as an employee," Rowe said. "We want our volunteers to gain a fundamental understanding of hospice and what is involved." The required Department of Health training is conducted with volunteers, as well as the fundamental hospice training, which includes 16 to 20 hours total classroom and/or self-led training. The onboarding process includes the completion of a background screening and completion/submission of medical requirements. The goal is to complete the orientation and training over a period of four weeks. "That's generally the goal, but I work with them, and we make a plan. Sometimes we work in small groups to start, then move to one-on-one at a pace that works," Rowe said. An informational session at HONC in Plattsburgh last month welcomed four new volunteers, with three who will complete their training this month. An additional volunteer will continue orientation and training with the hopes of officially beginning as a trained hospice volunteer April. "Our biggest focus this year is to add to our volunteer pool in Franklin County," Rowe said. "We have increased our numbers in the Clinton County area nicely, but could benefit from having a few more volunteers available to our Franklin County patients and families." Volunteer scheduling for patient visits is based on how many patients there are on service, what the requests are from patients and families, and what the availability of the volunteers is at any given time. Regular office hours could be scheduled for those individuals who would prefer to provide support in an office setting rather than in a patient's residence. TO LEARN MORE: Upcoming informational sessions were held March 9 in Plattsburgh and on March 18 at 10:30 a.m. at the Malone office, 3909 State Route 11. If someone interested in providing volunteer time for hospice cannot make an informational session, they can contact Rowe directly via email: jrowe@hospicenc.org "If we have college students home for the summer or on holiday breaks who would like to help, we can do the training then and remain flexible for scheduling when they are here," Rowe said. Seasonal folks here for six months out of the year are also welcome. "We try to be flexible in how we provide support to our patients," Rowe said. There is no cost to families or patients associated with HONC volunteer support at home. "It's about having heart and wanting to make a commitment," Rowe said. To find out more about Hospice of the North Country services, visit their website: hospicenc.org Donations to HNC are welcome, with a link for donations on the website: hospicenc.org/donate

Signup for our newsletter

Volunteer opportunities at Hospice of the North Country

COMPANY

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SUBMISSION FORMS

BEYOND THE NEWS