So I told you in my last post about my job description, and thought I would spend this post talking about the volunteer's job description.
There are basically two categories of volunteer; direct care and in-direct care. The in-direct care volunteer does office work such as filing and making copies. They don't have direct contact with any of our patients. Our direct care volunteers do have contact with our patients, and provide a variety of services for them.
The bulk of our volunteers are "friendly visitors" and pretty much do the same things you would do if you went to visit with an aunt/uncle or grandmother/grandfather. They might chat about whatever the patient is interested in that visit, or play cards or a board game. They might read to the patient or assist them in writing a letter. The specific activity isn't anywhere near as important as simply showing up and being a listening, compassionate presence in the patients life.
Besides friendly visitors we have volunteers that work with our patients to complete what we refer to as "A Life Review." They meet with the patient over weeks and/or months and record the patients memories and reminiscences and put them into story form complete with pictures.
We have massage therapist and Reiki volunteers to provide body/energy work to aid in relaxation and stress relief, and we have music volunteers to bring the joy of music to our patients.
I am working to develop programs for aromatherapy and art services and hope to have these up and running by fall.
Regardless of what area a person is lead to volunteer in they all end up getting more out of the experience that they feel they give. It is an honor and a privilege when a dying person invites you in to share in the end of their lives. Occasionally people struggle to find their balance in their last days but for the most part all of our patients are gracious and grateful for the time our volunteers spend with them. What could be more rewarding than that?
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