Lapeer Hospice Vigil Volunteers Wanted

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Death vigil volunteers provide the support and physical presence that patients and families need.

The vigil process may include any or all of the following:

• Being a calm presence
• Sitting with the dying person and their family
• Talking
• Listening
• Shared silence
• Healing touch
• Reading of scripture
• Requested rituals
• Inspirational music
• Lighting candles

Vigil volunteers may come in hours or days before death. If the vigil is long, volunteers may take shifts if the patient or family wants someone there continuously. If the vigil is fairly short, the same volunteer may stay for the duration.

About Hospice

Hospice is an extensive Program for anyone with a diagnosis or decline in health that could limit their life expectancy to 6 months or less if the disease/decline runs its normal course.

Our Mission

Making a difference by providing care from our heart to enhance the quality of life for those with life-limiting illnesses and their loved ones.

Our Volunteer Program

At Heart to Heart Hospice our volunteers are a vital part of our hospice team. Together we can help improve the quality of life for hospice patients.

Volunteers provide service to patients in a number of different ways. Depending on your interests, skills, talents, and the amount of time you have, there are a variety of ways that you can help.

Some of the ways our volunteers make a difference in the lives of patients are through......

• Respite/Break for the caregiver
• Companionship
• Activities
• Pet Therapy
• Clerical/Office Work

All volunteers receive orientation and training to ensure they feel comfortable with their tasks. Training is held at our office in Flint at a time convenient for the perspective volunteer. Training is approximately 3 hours and generally covers the following areas:

• Philosophy of hospice care
• A comprehensive overview of services offered by the hospice
• Physical, emotional, social, and spiritual issues that people can encounter at the end of life
• An overview of chronic and life-limiting illnesses
• Effective communication skills when speaking with the patient and family members
• Information about interpersonal family issues and relationships
• Basic information about grief and loss

Volunteers are required to be fingerprinted, have a background checks, and receive the two-step TB tests. There is no cost involved to the volunteer. However, we ask that the volunteer commit to being available one time a week for at least one year. Volunteers must be 18 or older and must provide their own transportation.