For many people, the word “hospice” conjures sad images of seniors who are either at the end of their life or extremely sick. In reality, St. Louis hospice care is a positive, beneficial, and meaningful program that provides:
- Quality end-of-life care
- Assistance to patients
- Vital support services for families
One of the most valuable aspects of St. Louis hospice care are the volunteers that help carry out these services. Hospice care volunteers pride themselves on connecting with patients through their final stage of life. By providing company to patients and supporting family members and caregivers, their presence reminds the person in their care that they are not alone.
Tasks of a Hospice Volunteer
In the United States, there are over 400,000 hospice volunteers, who collectively donate more than 19 million hours a year while caring for more than one million patients. These hours are dedicated to:
- Sitting with a patient
- Listening, or listening to and conversing with them
- Being supportive and providing comfort
- Engaging with patients in their favorite activities and hobbies
- Communicating the needs of the patient and their families to hospice staff
Becoming a Hospice Volunteer
Those who want to become a St. Louis hospice care volunteer must participate in a screening process and training. Most hospice care programs provide free training which applicants must complete before they can become a hospice volunteer.
Although the training programs may vary, they all typically offer the same information, including:
- A complete overview of services offered by the hospice
- Philosophy of hospice care
- Physical, emotional, social and spiritual issues that people may encounter at the end-of-life
- An overview of terminal and chronic illnesses
- Effective communication skills that are useful with the patient and their families
- Restrictions for the hospice volunteer and the patient and family
- Basic information about grief and loss
Learn More About Bethesda’s Hospice Care
Contact Us Today at 314-800-1911
| Bethesda has a 133-year tradition of providing excellent senior living options, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing. If you are considering independent living, we welcome you to tour one of our exceptional communities, including Bethesda Barclay House – Clayton, Bethesda Gardens – Kirkwood, Bethesda Orchard – Webster Groves, Bethesda Terrace – South County, Village North Retirement Community – Florissant, and The Oaks at Bethesda Villas – Kirkwood/Webster. Discover the level of care only a non-profit staffed by highly-trained nurses, therapists, and aids can offer. |
