Hospice of the Midwest is currently in search of hospice volunteers able to provide support to patients and their loved ones. Our office is conveniently located off of Hwy 44 in Guthrie Center, IA but we serve a wide range of Iowan counties. There are many different opportunities for volunteering:
1) Direct care: spending time with patients to provide socialization and companionship, playing games, giving family members a break, vigil support, playing music, looking through magazines and family photo albums, lending a listening ear, providing emotional support, and so much more
2) Pet therapy: pet must be licensed and up to date on vaccines
3) Office setting: clerical tasks, putting together welcome kits, organizing supplies, bereavement support letters
4) Crafts: making a special blanket for the veterans that come on service, personalized and hand-made cards for special holidays (Christmas, Valentine's Day, etc)
Since hospice volunteers spend time in patients' and families' homes or in a facility, our hospice program has an application and interview process to ensure each volunteer is well suited for this type of work. Hospice programs also have an organized training program for patient care. Since we service several counties, training and volunteer opportunities can be accommodated to a location of your choosing. Areas covered by these training programs include understanding of hospice care, understanding maintaining confidentiality, listening skills, identifying signs and symptoms of approaching death, coping with loss, grief, and bereavement support.
All Hospice of the Midwest volunteers are required to complete the Hospice Volunteer Training program, pass a background check, and have a negative TB (Tuberculosis) test prior to having any patient contact. All are provided at no cost to the volunteer
If interested follow this link to apply Volunteers | Hospice of the Midwest