Free one day class offered for those interested in becoming hospice volunteers.
BENNINGTON, VT – The Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice of the Southwest Region is offering a one-day class for those interested in becoming hospice volunteers. Training will be held on Saturday, April 6th from 8am – 4:00pm in the Seminar Room at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington. Training is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is required.
Once training is complete, assignments and schedules are tailored to the volunteer’s geographic and time commitment preferences. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old and need to pass a background check. No previous hospice and health care experience is required.
Hospice volunteers provide comfort and support to patients facing terminal illness, as well as respite and support to their families. Volunteer training covers the basic principles of hospice, understanding the special needs of patients and their families, effective communication, patient care, pain and symptom management, spiritual caregiving, and understanding grief and loss. Hospice volunteers are trained in listening skills, family dynamics and in using appropriate words to comfort patients and their loved ones at the end of life.
“Whether someone is interested in providing direct or indirect support, hospice volunteers are an integral part of the hospice team,” said Mary Pleasant, Hospice Volunteer Coordinator. “Hospice volunteering allows exceptional caring individuals to use their gifts and skills to help provide patients, caregivers, and families with the most peaceful and comfortable end-of-life experience possible…and there are benefits to our volunteers. Not only do our volunteers tell us they have a deeper understanding of death and dying, but they also gain an enriched sense of other cultures and beliefs and have an enhanced sense of fulfillment to the community.”
For more information or to enroll call Mary Pleasant at 802.442.0540 or email at mary.pleasant@vnahsr.org
About the VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region
Founded in Rutland, Vermont, the VNAHSR has grown to include locations throughout Bennington and Rutland Counties. VNAHSR is a non-profit, Medicare-certified home health and hospice agency delivering a wide-range of advanced medical care with compassion, dependability, and expertise to people of all ages.
With office locations in Bennington, Dorset, Manchester and Rutland, we have nearly 350 trusted health professionals and caregivers committed to providing exceptional care to patients and families.
Proud of our national reputation for quality care, VNAHSR is highly rated for Quality of Patient Care and Patient Satisfaction from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and is recognized as one of the nation’s top 100 performing home health agencies, by HomeCare Elite, a market-leading review that identifies top Medicare-certified agencies.
