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| The Volunteer Program with Rice Hospice | ||
Rice Hospice volunteers are loving, caring and integral members of the hospice team. They provide emotional support, comfort and assistance to the hospice patient and family members. Hospice volunteers visit with patients and family members at home, in the hospital, in an assisted living facility, or in the nursing home, to discover ways in which he or she can help make things a little easier for everyone. >> Volunteer opportunities |
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| Meet three of the many incredible hospice volunteers | ||
| Linda Just and Sugar | Beth Bloomquist | Marlow Erdman |
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I began volunteering because I knew that Sugar would be a good therapy dog in the Pet Therapy Program with Rice Hospice. She gets along with everybody. I think everyone should take the Rice Hospice Training Program because it's an excellent seminar you can relate to life. Even if Sugar stopped volunteering, I would never give it up. |
I became a hospice volunteer because it was such a valuable service to us when my mom was in the Rice Hospice program. They were a godsend. It's surprised me how much I've received back as a volunteer, too. I walk away from each visit with such peace. It doesn't take that much time and just to see the smile on someone's face makes it all worthwhile. |
I am a cancer survivor and want to help others in any small way that I can. When you're faced with a severe illness you need somebody to talk to, but I receive far more from patients than I could ever possibly give. Rice Hospice staff are the most caring and compassionate individuals of any team that I've ever been involved with - they give you the knowledge and support you need to volunteer. |
| Volunteer opportunities are available in a variety of roles | ||
Patient/Family
Care Volunteer |
Bereavement
Support Volunteer Be a support to the family after their loved one has died. Offer visits, make phone calls and write notes to the bereaved. |
Inpatient Volunteer
at Rice Be an additional support person for patients and their families while they are hospitalized at Rice Memorial Hospital. |
| Office & Special Projects Volunteer Be a support to the administrative staff. Help with tasks such as filing, copying, making packets, bulk mailings, and computer data entry. |
Nursing Home
Volunteer Be a friend and an additional volunteer visitor for hospice patients who live in nursing homes. |
Public Relations
Volunteer Assist in raising community awareness of Rice Hospice by working at health fair booths and speaking at church and community gatherings. |
| 11th Hour Volunteer Be there for a patient who does not want to die alone. |
Healing Touch
Volunteer Offer healing touch sessions as a complementary therapy. |
Life Review
Volunteer Offer assistance and support with a patient who would like to reminisce on tape or in written form. |
| Fund raising
Volunteer Help with fund raising activities, such as Bowl for Hospice, Share A Memory, and Soup & Salad Luncheons. |
Camp G.K. Bear Buddy Provide one-on-one support for children who have lost a loved one when they attend Camp G.K. Bear. |
Pet Therapy Volunteer Partner with your canine to provide pet therapy visits to hospice patients. This position requires additional training. |
| Rice Hospice Training is an excellent seminar for life | ||
All hospice volunteers must complete the Rice Hospice Training which is offered each spring and fall. It is a multidisciplinary approach which applies to future volunteers, as well as, clergy, RNs, LPNs, nursing assistants, physicians, PHNs, pharmacists, social workers, and funeral directors. All are invited to attend the 12-hour seminar. Rice Hospice volunteers attend an additional 4-hour volunteer orientation. Pet Therapy Program volunteers also attend Canine University. Please check the Calendar of Events for upcoming dates. >>2010 Training Agenda |
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| You can be a volunteer with Rice Hospice | ||
To discover volunteer opportunities with Rice Hospice, please contact Evy Hatjistilianos Evy Hatjistilianos (right) demonstrated how to give a hand massage at a community presentation with Music Therapy Coordinator Donna Jo Kopitzke. |
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| Volunteers rewards | ||
Rice volunteers do not expect to receive rewards, however, the first thing most volunteers say about the volunteer experience is that they receive far more than they could ever give. At Rice Hospice, we value the input of hospice volunteers and provide ongoing support and educational opportunities, including the annual Share the Spirit educational retreat held at the Holiday Inn Conference Center in Willmar each fall. |
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| Rice Hospice programs and volunteers are award winners | ||
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Bunny
and Al Iverson Working individually and often as a team, they have brought comfort and joy to many patients and families over the years. During one such experience, they arrived at a patient's home at 4:00 am. Bunny provided respite care for the hospice patient, while Al took her husband out in the country for an early morning duck hunting expedition. |
Joyce Johnson Joyce has volunteered in different capacities with Rice Hospice. Here she provides bereavement support for a patient's family member. |
Nursing Home
Volunteer Program Cirlce of Life Award |
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