Leadership Programs
-
Group Leaders
To encourage networking and to assist the Volunteer
Coordinator with the monthly collection of statistical information
and to disseminate information, seven dedicated volunteers were
chosen to serve as group leaders. Each group leader represents
approximately seven volunteers. These volunteers are usually
geographically close to one another. Once monthly the Volunteer
Coordinator sends each group leader information to pass along
to his or her volunteers. Each group leader contacts the volunteers
in his/her group, recording hours, and passes on information,
updates, and reminders. Volunteers also receive a monthly volunteer
newsletter in conjunction with these calls. The volunteer group
leaders also make up a volunteer advisory committee that meet
intermittently throughout the year to discuss, strategize, and
problem solve volunteer related issues. This assistance provided
from group leaders/advisory committee members has made a tremendous
difference in volunteer communication and involvement. Department
of Sustaining Care, Swedish Hospital Medical Center Seattle,
Washington
-
Establish a Council of Volunteer Advisors
In order to encourage volunteers to assume more
leadership and accept greater responsibility for their Hospice
volunteer activities, we established a Council of Volunteer'
Advisors (CVA).The CVA is made up of the four team captains plus
two volunteers-at-large who were selected by the volunteers.
A representative from our in-patient, nursing staff and the coordinator
of volunteers and bereavement are also on the Council. At the
CVA's request the coordinator of volunteers and chairs the monthly
meetings. The CVA assists in a number of projects such as: teaching
in the volunteer training program each fall and spring, assisting
in biannual memorial services and bereavement follow-up, planning
socials, preparing annual volunteer recognition reception, orientating
new volunteers, providing input for program policies, suggesting
topics and speakers for in-services, promoting more effective
communication among volunteers and staff, participating in Hospice
Month activities. Much of our volunteer work is done on our own
acute care, in-patient facility at Northwestern Memorial Hospital
in Chicago. To facilitate scheduling of volunteers to work on
the Unit we formed four teams headed by team captains. Each team
is responsible for scheduling volunteers for a 10-day period.
Volunteers and staff members are welcome at all CVA meetings.
Northwestern Memorial Hospice Program, Chicago, Illinois
The Volunteer Representative Program
As with many programs, funds are tight and the
Volunteer Coordinator's is a half-time position. It is impossible
for me to make a home visit with every Hospice family to introduce
the role of the volunteer and assess the family's needs with
this time constraint. We therefore developed the Volunteer "Rep" program.
As Volunteer Coordinator I assign each new family to one of
our four or five experienced volunteers who act as Volunteer
Reps. The Reps then make a personal contact with the family
explaining the roles and possibilities of a Hospice volunteer
and exploring the needs of the family. This being done a few
days after the family has come in to Hospice seems to be better
timing than trying to explain the role of the volunteer along
with all other services at the time of the "open." The
Reps then report to me and together we assign a volunteer based
on family needs, personalities, and time and geographic availability.
Each week following our Hospice Team meeting I send patient
reports to the Volunteer Reps. They in turn call the volunteer
on each of "their" cases. In this way all volunteers
receive a case update within a couple of days of the Team meeting.
This helps volunteers to feel involved and validated as important
components in patient care. It also keeps volunteers talking
to one another between meetings enhancing their camaraderie
and mutual support. The Volunteer Rep program enhances our
services to Hospice patients and their families, it benefits
the volunteers, and it expands the possibilities of the Volunteer
Coordinator position! Sutter Hospice Care, Sacramento, California
Return to Great Ideas
Recognition and Support
-
Volunteer Recognition Dinner
Annually, we have a dinner to recognize the work
and commitment of our Hospice volunteers. This is a time to show
our appreciation for the help of our volunteers. Hospice of Southwest
Virginia, Wytheville, Virginia
- Volunteer Banquet
Each May recognizing our Volunteers' services.
We also have a lot of Volunteers going into the homes and taking
a bag of goodies for out hospice patient. As a Volunteer going
to their homes for the first time they need to take these bags
out as a get acquainted bag because a lot of patients and families
are leery of volunteer services. Anonymous
- Wellness Spiritual Care Retreat Day for Volunteer
Recognition
Select paid staff "volunteered" to
create a day of healing and renewal for volunteers. First
half of day
included classes in: Chinese brush painting; clay work;
massage and healing touch; meditation; inspirational music
and literature;
Tai chi; and grief group. After lunch, which was provided
by the retreat site, we had a half hour of informal dance
as a group.
We moved into group activities which included visualization
and a two-hour story-telling process. We ended the day
with music
and dance activities which helped volunteers bring closure
to their day and allowed for expression of their feelings
and experiences.
Carondelet Hospice Services, Tucson, Arizona
- Annual Coffee House
Annual Coffee House for volunteers, who share
musical talents, poetry writing, readings, book reviews. We provide
refreshments. Hospice of the Panhandle, Martinsburg, West Virginia
- Volunteer of the Month
Encourage volunteers to turn in logs by having
a volunteer of the month (the volunteer who turns in the most
paper work)! This winner receives a gift certificate. Hospice
of Morrow County, Mount Gilgad, Ohio
- Volunteer Update
This is a bimonthly newsletter (or more
often if necessary) written by the volunteer coordinator
and sent to
all our volunteers: patient, bereavement, clinical and
board members. The purpose of the newsletter is to keep
all volunteers
informed of the "happenings" in our program.
I include in it a calendar of events for upcoming continuing
education
programs, meetings, fund raisers, special needs of families,
etc. This is an informal means of communication. I use
it also to congratulate volunteers on a job well done,
to encourage participation
in an event, to announce occasions in individual volunteer's
lives (i.e. marriages, births, special vacations, death
of a family member, etc.) Our volunteers care not only
for their patients,
but for each other as well. The Volunteer Update has been
well received because the volunteers say they feel they
know what
is going on even if they have to miss the monthly volunteer
meeting. Queen Anne's Hospice Volunteers, Inc., Centreville,
Maryland
Return to Great Ideas
-
Regional Support Groups for Volunteer Coordinators
This idea came from the Illinois State Hospice
Organizational Volunteer Coordinator Committee. We divided the
entire state's up by county and region and established Regional
Support Groups for Volunteer Coordinators. These groups are self
governing and feedback has been most positive. Hospice of Northeastern
Illinois, Barrington, Illinois
- Business Cards for Volunteers
Business cards with a leather case for volunteers.
Covenant Hospice Care Program, Urbana, Illinois
- Thank You Notes for Volunteers
After a volunteer has completed a volunteer
assignment (patient care, fund raiser, etc.), they receive
a thank you note
from the volunteer coordinator. The cards were printed
at the printers on parchment note paper and printed in
gothic alphabet.
The front cover shows a tea pot steaming and says "thank
you." Inside states: "You recently have given of yourself
through volunteering. Now it's time to take a little time for
yourself." Glued on the top flap is a gourmet tea
bag. This is a modification of another thank you note we
came across. The
volunteers really enjoy these cards. To office volunteers
or others volunteering on a long term basis, they receive
about
twice a year to remind them we care and appreciate them....because
we do! Hospice of Coshocton County, Coshocton, Ohio
- Thank You Notes to Volunteers from Nurses
Periodically, our RN's send brief, hand-written
notes to volunteers (who have been "faithfully" involved
with individual patient/families) acknowledging their good
work and the importance of their involvement. In order
to expedite
this process, the director of volunteers will offer to
address the envelopes and provide the notecards. Northwest
Ohio Hospice
Association, Toledo, Ohio
- Thank You Letters to Volunteers from Physicians
Following the death of a patient, I write
a letter on behalf of that patient's physician thanking
the volunteer
for "whatever they have done" for that patient.
The letter is then sent to the physician for signature
and on to
the volunteer. A copy of each letter is placed in the volunteer
record. Volunteers enjoy getting the communication and
this reinforces volunteerism to the physician as well.
Henry Ford Hospice, Detroit,
Michigan
-
Hospice Volunteer Retreat
This retreat involves every person involved in
the hospice team-volunteers, coordinators, nurses, social workers,
bereavement personnel, religious, etc. We come together for an
eight-our sharing, informative presentations and growing experiences.
Our retreat is held in a quiet, wooded area which exudes a peaceful
and harmonious feeling, joining our entire group together. The
retreat enables the hospice team to relate ideas for further
growth of the volunteers, as well as developing our organization
to more fully recognize the needs of our patients. Topics range
from pain control, welfare and insurance changes, to familial
dysfunctions. The retreat is a great enabler of a smooth transition
into our program - for both volunteer, and patients and their
families. The retreat enriches our hospice organization professionally
and personally. The seeds planted during this time helps us to
grow the multifaceted team that continues to give the physically
best care and emotionally provide the love and support needed
by our patients and each other. St. Agnes Hospice, Fond du Lac,
Wisconsin
- Annual Picnic
Providing an annual picnic at a local park for
volunteers, their immediate families, our staff, their families
and this year, we invited members of our bereavement support
groups. Merchants donate the food and prizes for bingo. Relays,
sack races, water balloon battles, volleyball, badminton, horseshoes
all make a fun evening. Families interact and it also provides
an opportunity to recruit potential volunteers without them knowing
you are recruiting. Because of this particular event we had two
spouses state they would also like to volunteer. Kanawha Hospice
Care, Inc., Dunbar, West Virginia
- Volunteer Recognition Luncheon
Our major volunteer recognition function is a
luncheon held each year in November, National Hospice Month.
Special gifts and awards are presented and all volunteers are
individually recognized for their contribution to our Hospice
Program. Also, our administrative staff each recognize the achievements
of the volunteers and a Keynote speaker addresses the value of
Hospice Volunteerism. We feel the uniqueness of our luncheon
is the inclusion of survivors of past Hospice patients as honored
guests and speakers. These individuals share their personal and
poignant memories of their association with hospice volunteers
and staff. This creates a more meaningful atmosphere in which
the contribution of our volunteers can more realistically be
appreciated by the assembled group of physicians, hospital staff,
hospice staff, community leaders and members of the media. The
Hospice of Northern Nevada, Reno, Nevada
- Recognition
At Hospice of Southwest Florida approached its
10th anniversary, we were seeking innovative ways to recognize
volunteers and staff at our annual service-award events. We had
changed our logo a few months prior to that time, and in keeping
with our plan to apply the new corporate identity symbol wherever
possible, it was decided to design new service award pins, using
the logo as the single design element. Our most significant decision
was to use the same pins for employees and volunteers, reinforcing
the interdisciplinary team concept that is at the core of hospice
service. The pins are die cut in the shape of the logo and the
result is a beautiful piece of jewelry, particularly enhanced
with the addition of a precious stone. One year to three year
service warrants a solid gold pin; three to five years service
- a gold pin with sapphire stone; five to ten years service -
gold pin with a ruby stone; and ten years to 15 years - a gold
pin with a diamond center. In future years as we have volunteers
reaching 15, 20 or 25 year milestone. We will have jewelry pieces
made from the pin as special awards. Volunteers and employees
get frequent compliments on the pins which do not have our name
or any other imprint. It's a perfect opportunity for the team
member to then say it's a hospice pin and then tell a little
about their involvement with hospice. Our volunteers wear the
new pins with pleasure and pride, and they are particularly impressed
to be considered an important enough part of the team to be recognized
in the same way we recognize employees. Hospice of Southwest
Florida, Sarasota, Florida
- Christmas Party
We held a Hospice Volunteer Recognition
Christmas Party and for a special thank you we wrote our
own words to the
tune of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," expressing
to them how much we appreciate them. The whole staff got
up and sang it to the volunteers, and we handed teach of
them a copy
of the words. Not all of us can sing but it was a big hit.
United Hospice, South Forks, North Dakota
Return to Great Ideas
-
Recognition Dinner
Each year, during National Volunteer Week,
our staff honors our 225 volunteers and their families at
a Volunteer
Recognition Dinner we choose a 'theme', decorate appropriately,
encourage 'theme wear' and cook for approximately 350 people.
In 1990, we had a Hospice Hoe Down, complete with a western
barbeque, bales of hay, professional square dancers, and
a performance by the Hee-Hawspice players, also known as
staff.
It is a great joy to watch the volunteers have an enjoyable
evening that they can share with friends and family; and
it is a wonderful opportunity for us all to play together.
I think
that, as leaders, we reflect enthusiasm and caring in all
that we do. Offering opportunities to play is just as important
as tending to the work at hand. Around February, our volunteers
begin asking that infamous question, "So what do you have
up your sleeve this year?" Hospice of Petaluma, Petaluma,
California
- Thank You Notes
When a patient passes away, we send a thank you
letter to the volunteer involved, personalizing it with specifics
of the case and what was involved. This letter is signed by all
the members of the team that was seeing the particular patient,
including the
doctor involved. Kaiser Permanente, Panorama City, Panorama City, California
- Volunteer Valentine Party
In place of a Christmas Party this year --our
volunteers seem so busy during this season-- we decided to have
a Valentine Party. A hand addressed invitation was sent to each
volunteer and hospice staff member. The event was held February
14,
from 4-6 p.m. The tables were decorated in white linens
with red hearts bordering the table. A large red heart
bordered in heart fabric displayed each volunteer
and staff members name in white ink. This was placed on an easel near
the room entrance. Three-dimensional hearts hung from the
ceiling to make the
large room more festive. The majority of the food was prepared by the
volunteer coordinator --a gesture to show her appreciation
to them for their excellent
assistance throughout the year. A special song was created (copy follows)
and sang by the volunteer coordinator and social worker to the volunteers.
A local college swing choir gave a special Valentine performance for
the occasion. Volunteers and staff had the opportunity
to socialize between program
events. In addition, each volunteer was sent a hand addressed Valentine
created by the volunteer coordinator. Enclosed with it
was a "guardian angel" pin
as a gift from Hospice. The verse that accompanied the pin was as follows:
A Guardian Angel to watch over you or your loved ones. Keep an angel
at your shoulder to guide you through cloudy days and brighten
the lives of all who
admire her. Wausau Hospice Program, Wausau, Wisconsin
- Hospice/Cancer Care Retreat
We invite all our Volunteers to attend our annual
Hospice/Cancer Care Retreat. This promotes the knowledge that
volunteers are a part of the team and very vital to the program.
They get to know on a less professional level the core Hospice
team members. The reverse is also true. The core Hospice team
is always invited to all the Volunteer inservices held each month.
Methodist Hospital Hospice, St. Louis Park, Minnesota
-
Low-Cost Weekends
Our volunteers come from a large geographically
dispersed area and they regularly meet together in
their "local" district settings. Often they
do not know volunteers outside that district.. Our
annual low-cost weekend is an opportunity for them
to share and may together in a beautiful rustic setting
where everyone is assigned to a group and each group
is responsible for the planning, buying, preparing,
serving and clean up for one meal. Car-pooling, meal
assignments and setting up, housekeeping, sleeping
and participation creates interaction. The facility
has one large house where we join together for meals
and activities. Bringing sleeping bags or bedding in
addition to the share of costs for one meal keeps the
total cost down. The informal environment, shared activities
and sample time for leisurely walks in the woods really
contribute to the feeling of the "volunteer family." Visiting
Nurse Association of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Locally Convenient Meetings
We were having very low attendance at our monthly
volunteer meetings. Since we are a rural agency and cover a three
county area (Wicomico, Worcester and Somerset counties), we began
having meetings in the other two counties as well. Now we have
monthly meetings in Salisbury (Wicomico county) and Ocean City
(Worcester county), and meetings every other month in Crisfield
(Somerset county). Volunteers can attend any or all of the meetings
and we try to rotate topics, for example: one month we'll have
a speaker at our meeting in Salisbury, a general meeting and
discuss patient care issues facilitated by the volunteer coordinator
in Ocean City, and have a video with discussion in Crisfield.
The next month the speaker may be in Ocean City with a general
meeting in Salisbury and so on. The volunteers pick the topics
and the time of day to meet. Instead of averaging five to six
people at a monthly volunteer meeting in Salisbury, we now may
have as many as eight in Ocean City, six in Crisfield and four
or five in Salisbury. In addition, we occasionally have speakers
in the evening at the office in Salisbury and ask volunteers
from all three counties to attend instead of having three monthly
meetings that month. This gives the volunteers an opportunity
to meet one another as well as get acquainted with the paid staff.
Coastal Hospice, Salisbury, Maryland
Return to Great Ideas
Training and Recruitment
-
Expanding Educational Opportunities
for Volunteers
We research all available educational/retreat opportunities happening in
our tri-city area (e.g., known speakers, alternate and complementary training
programs like therapeutic touch, community awareness and education series).
We check to see if there is a cost attached and find out how to register.
This way we provide opportunities for high quality educational opportunities
and are not trying to reinvent the wheel. Volunteers are very appreciative
and often avail themselves of these opportunities. Community Hospice of Albany,
Albany, New York
-
Checks on Criminal Records for Volunteers
Partnered with local office of state volunteer agency to provide checks free
of charge to us.Hospice of Bend, Bend, Oregon
-
Volunteer Ceremony
After new volunteers have completed
training, we have a dedication ceremony. During
the ceremony volunteers are commissioned and receive
an anointing of their hands. They receive a certificate,
a long-stemmed rose, and an angel pen. It is a
very meaningful service. BonSecours Hospice of
Saint Mary's Hospital, Richmond, Virginia
-
Cultural Panel
Develop a panel (as an in-service
for volunteer and staff) made up of people of different
cultures to talk about death and burial rituals
among their cultures. Music, foods, costumes of
the culture can also be added. Alive Hospice, Nashville,
Tennessee
-
Enhancing the Skills of Church Volunteers
Series
Offer four training sessions to
rural churches. At the final session, invitations
go to those who trained to continue for one additional
training session and become Hospice volunteers
for their community. Hospice of Green Country,
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Return to Great Ideas
-
"Train Two, Keep One" Training
Program for Churches
As a way to encourage church volunteers to actively
support our hospice, we offer a "train two, keep one" program
to churches. Churches willing to send 2 of their volunteers
to our hospice training commit one person to volunteering with
hospice
for one year. The other person returns to their church program
committed to using and sharing our hospice information with
their membership and using our information to help enrich their
service
programs. Boulder County Hospice, Boulder, Colorado
- Continuous Training
We have training every week for three hours. Volunteers
can jump in anytime that's convenient for them. We have rotating
staff teaching, so no one loses every Saturday. We have a special
orientation for brand new volunteers for paperwork each week
if necessary. We cover ten subjects in complete training. Vitas
Hospice, Hamilton, Ohio
- Volunteer Journal
Our great idea is very simple: start keeping a
journal about your volunteer experiences. These experiences will
enhance your hospice presentations and newsletters. Hospice of
Stark County, Canton, Ohio
- Patients as Speakers at Volunteer Trainings
Use of a hospice patient ( or former hospice patients
such as an AIDS patient who was discharged from hospice and is
currently a hospice volunteer) to speak and answer questions
at a volunteer training for new hospice volunteers. VNH, San
Francisco, California
- Self-Study for Hospice Volunteer Training
This is for those who desire to become a hospice
volunteer when training group is not scheduled. Rather than lose
this potential volunteer, I have tried to retain them by developing
self-study program based on requirements of volunteer curriculum
by use of : 1) Audio-visual tapes to be viewed at home; 2) Once
a week conferences with volunteer coordinator for questions and
discussions; 3) Reading materials which are discussed at conferences;
4) Request attendance at monthly volunteer meetings; 5) Establishing
contact with other volunteers; 6) Close supervision in first
patient care case; 7) Documentation by volunteer for hours spent
doing self-study (turned in weekly). Muhlenberg Hospice, Plainfield,
New Jersey
Return to Great Ideas
- Hospice: The Full Picture
For volunteer training close to end: jigsaw puzzle
with pieces labeled (e.g. doctor, sw, primary nurse, etc., out
to insurers, NHO, etc). Have volunteers-in-training draw pieces
and explain to group what that person/entity does in hospice
care as they get the puzzle back together. Center for Hospice
Care, Baytown, Texas
- Hospice Display Board for Recruitment
I designed a portable display board made of durable
formica on the outside and corkboard on the inside. It has a
handle and looks like a briefcase. I took pictures of the entire
Hospice team in action with patients (release forms signed by
all patients) I also took many pictures of volunteers helping
out in many capacities (office, community education, patient
care, etc.). I mounted these pictures along with a brief description
of the Hospice Program. I did all the lettering in calligraphy.
This has been an effective tool along with my slide presentation
when doing presentations to the community. Valley Baptist Medical
Center Hospice Program, Harlingen, Texas
- Interning
In the Sacramento area, most of the volunteer
training is done through the Hospice Consortium an organization
of all the area hospice programs. Because these classes are only
offered two or three times per year, potentially good volunteers
can easily
be lost to other worthwhile community service programs.
To "catch" these
willing persons, we allow volunteers to "Intern" until
they can complete the hospice training program. As interns, volunteers
must
first
complete all the other application and screening processes. Once
accepted, the intern may then participate in team meetings, team
support groups
and in-service meetings as well as donate their time in the office.
They are
not, however, assigned to a patient and family until the completion
of the training class. Thus far, it has been successful in retaining
several good
volunteers!! Kaiser Permanente Hospice Program, Sacramento, California
-
Graduation and Reception
Each volunteer training course includes
twelve sessions with three training courses scheduled
each year. At
the completion of each training course, a graduation
and reception is held. The reception is hosted
by the previous training class
graduates. This not only allows both classes to
get acquainted, it also encourages the individuals
to maintain contact to coordinate
events. Each class becomes like a family unit,
which is especially important with the increasing
number of volunteers. The Hospice
staff are encouraged to attend these functions
which further promotes bonding between staff and
volunteers. Hospice of Wake
County, Raleigh, North Carolina
-
Panel
The presentations for orientation and the first
five sessions of our training course are made by the professional
members of the Hospice Buffalo staff. On the sixth and final
evening, however, a panel is assembled which acts as a bridge
between the more theoretical presentations of training and
the trainees' first assignments. We try to have someone from
the Bereavement Program, a longtime home care and trained volunteer.
Always appearing on the panel are the volunteer coordinator
of volunteers at our free- standing inpatient unit and a volunteer
who explains the vigil. If a family wishes to have this service,
members of the vigil team take turns of 3 to 4 hours at least
to assist the family in maintaining palliative care of their
loved one during end stage. Physical and emotional support
measures are offered to the patient/family usually for 24 to
48 hours day and night. Hospice Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
- Touching
We know that, at a time when contacts
of any kind may be diminished for our patients, volunteers
can "be
there" in a variety of ways. One of the most important
of these is to actually touch them. Holding a hand, giving
a pat on the back, or sharing a hug can be a special gift from
volunteer to patient (or caregiver).Horizon Hospice will be
teaching its next class of volunteers about the value of touch
as it relates to our patients and to ourselves. We learned
about touching from "Dr. Hug", Greg Risberg, whose
mother was one of our patients. Greg was one of the presenters
at our annual Volunteer Conference. Using humor and demonstrations,
Greg had a group of 75 on their feet, rubbing each others'
backs, hugging everyone in sight, and laughing hysterically,
all within a few minutes of beginning. We explored our own
backgrounds - who came from a low-touch family, who was from
a high-touch family - and how that affected our feelings about
touch. We discussed our own touch experiences, good and bad,
and learned how good it can feel to touch and be touched in
a caring way. That's what we want to teach our volunteers,
so that they can truly be "in touch" with their patients
and families. If you'd like to know more about this idea, just
look for the Volunteer Coordinator wearing the "Have you
hugged a volunteer today" button. Horizon Hospice
, Chicago, Illinois
- Videotaping
To videotape volunteer training sessions has
proved helpful to our program for several reasons: 1. If a
trainee is unable to attend a session, he/she can view the
videotape in order to complete the course. 2. We offer no more
than one training per year. The tapes are available if needed
for training before the next regular session. 3. Different
speakers are used each year for some sessions. This increases
our library for future sessions. 4. Portions of sessions can
be used to in-service staff and volunteers for continuing education.
5. Tapes can be loaned to developing programs for assistance
in establishing their volunteer component. Our program is hospital
based and, therefore, has access to media specialists who do
the taping in a professional manner. It could be done, however,
with home video equipment perhaps enlisting the aid of volunteers.
Baptist Medical Center Hospice, Little Rock. Arkansas
- Postcard Get Acquainted/Closure
This activity was developed out of our
Volunteer Coordinator's postcard collecting hobby. It
is a non-threatening,
fun get acquainted activity and a structured way for
group members to give and receive "warm fuzzies".
We use the activity in our
Volunteer Training Classes and our Bereavement Support
Groups. Materials: The only materials needed are a variety
of postcards (animals, humorous,
scenic, religious, etc.). You can purchase postcards in many stores.
Garage sales are often good places to buy large numbers
of cards for a low price.
Flea markets and auctions are other places, but be careful, especially
at auctions. Bids on postcards can get high if serious
collectors or dealers
are present. Get Acquainted: First session of a new group. Spread the
postcards out on a table. (It works best when the table
is placed such that participants
can walk all the way around it.) Participants including the facilitator(s)
are instructed to select 3 or 4 postcards that reflect something about
who they are. Each participant shares with the group
the postcards they picked
and why. (Participants do not keep the cards.)Closure: Final session
of a group. Again spread the postcards out on a table.
Participant #1 stays where
they are while each of the other group members, including the facilitator(s),
select 3 or 4 postcards they feel reflect something about Participant
#1. Each group member then shares with Participant #1
the cards he/she picked
and why. After everyone has shared, Participant #1 may select one of
the cards picked by the other group members to keep.
The procedure continues
until each participant has been "carded". (Most groups want
to select cards about the facilitator(s) as well.) Hospice Circle of
Love, Enid,
Oklahoma
-
Discussion Groups
Our idea is used to help each class of volunteers
become acquainted, feel that each one is important and share
their personal experiences with one another. Volunteers sometimes
discuss their own life events, which are as educational as
some of the prepared classroom material. Hopefully, it also
gives the volunteers insights into some of their own feelings
which may be similar to those felt by patients and families.
At the beginning of each session, volunteers introduce themselves
with their name, the town in which they live, and answer
a question. The repetition of the name helps them become
familiar
with each others' names. An attempt is made to have the question
coordinate with the session, such as "your place in the
family" for the session on Family Dynamics. Some sample
questions used in other sessions include: 1. What interested
you in becoming a volunteer? 2. With whom do you live? 3. Where
were you raised as a child? 4. What is your place in your family
of origin? 5. What was your most serious illness? 6. What is
your greatest fear? 7. What is your "pet peeve" or
what makes you angry? 8. What is your most recent loss? 9.
What food would you miss if you couldn't have it? 10. What
is your favorite color? These questions have helped classes
to bond and offer support to one another as they work as
part of the hospice team. Overlook Hospital, Sununit, New
Jersey
- Hospice Handi Helper Program
The Handi Helper Hospice Volunteers began as
a result of the terminal illness of a mentally handicapped
person residing in a community group home where some of these
volunteers lived. Through their desire to help their friend,
the staff of the
community homes and Capitol Hospice Care saw the need to provide these mentally
handicapped people with an opportunity to be of service to others as hospice
volunteers. Seventeen persons, ages 20-40),completed a training program over
a four
week period, specially designed and geared to their mental abilities. A training
manual, class workbook, and even a seven-minute film, were presented in a
simple and concise manner. The Handi Helpers have been very active in our
volunteer program over the past two years. They usually meet monthly to fill
gift baskets to be taken to patients for special holidays. Some clean the
office twice weekly. Others make baked goods for our training sessions and
make pickups and deliveries of supplies for our patients' use. These Hospice
Hand Helpers are to be commended for the outstanding and dedicated service
they have provided. From helping their friend stay at home in familiar surroundings,
they have grown to helping others with a terminal illness. They also continue
to be a source of strength and inspiration to many of our non-handicapped
volunteers! Capitol Hospice Care, Ponchatoula, Louisiana
- High School Volunteers
We are starting a volunteer training for high
school students. They are going to go thru the regular volunteer
training, and will primarily work at our inpatient facility.
They are very excited about coming to Hospice, and we are delighted
to have some young people involved. Santa Barbara Hospice,
Santa Barbara, California
Return to Great Ideas
Patient Care
Holiday Projects
A letter is mailed to each family member offering volunteer
support for holiday projects. This is yet another way
to offer families volunteer support or
to get the volunteer in the door and to utilize some of the harder
to place volunteers (due to time constraints, etc.).
They can help with holiday
baking, addressing cards, wrapping gifts, shopping, decorating, and "undecorating." Mayo
Hospice Program, Rochester, Minnesota
- Volunteers for Care Facilities
Interested volunteers receive special training to provide companionship and
support to patients in care facilities. They are assigned to different
geographical areas and visit all hospice patients in all the various facilities
in their area. Staff, patients, and family appreciate this extra attention
from hospice and volunteers appreciate being able to do hospice work according
to their own schedules. Hospice of Sacred Heart, Eugene, Oregon
Volunteer High School Musicians
Recruit accomplished high school musicians to volunteer their musical talents
playing for patients in homes or nursing facilities. One violinist always
finished his some concert with Ave Maria. A patient requested this student
to play Ave Maria at her funeral, which he did. Benton Hospice Service,
Corvallis, Oregon
- Comfort Pillows
Hospice of Northwest Ohio has a group of volunteers who
make "comfort
pillows" for patients in our unit and at home. These are made from the
stuffing of new dacron/polyester pillows–one large pillow makes
four comfort pillows. They are small, soft, and covered with a cheery
or colorful
soft cotton fabric. Patients feel comforted having one or more of these
tucked around their head, neck, arms. Patients/families, of course,
keep the pillows.
Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Perrysburg, Ohio
- Volunteer Projects
We involve the community in hospice by having
ladies' groups, girl scout troops, elementary school classes,
etc., take part in making crafts for our hospice patients.
Our volunteer coordinator buys the supplies, then gives a hospice
overview to the group before they work on the project. When
the group finishes the craft, our hospice field staff delivers
the projects to the patients. Usually, the item relates to
a particular season or holiday, and the time spent is counted
as volunteer hours. Home Health Plus Hospice, St. Louis, Missouri
Return to Great Ideas
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"On Call" Volunteers
Certain volunteers are provided a pager and
cellular phone for one week, Monday through Friday, 8a.m.-5p.m.,
to be available to deliver supplies, equipment, or medication
to patients' homes or to run other errands to relieve staff.
Rotation is about every 3 or 4 months. With pagers this allows
volunteer to continue own activities but is available when
needed. Works for our hospice, but it would not work for all.
Hospice of East Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee
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Music for Life: Music Therapy Volunteers
One music-oriented Hospice professional recruits
five to ten music-oriented volunteers. These volunteers go
into patient homes or facilities to: a) provide live music
that the patient chooses for patient and family b) create a
personal tape with the patient consisting of meaningful music
for the last stage of life which the patient chooses for him/herself
now as well as for the family later. c) guiding the patient
through a simple progression muscle relaxation exercise utilizing
soothing sounds of waterfalls, springs, and rain. Supervisory
groups help the volunteer to integrate into the overall clinical
process. Volunteers can be recruited from High Schools, Music/Art
Colleges, Churches and elderly communities. Patients and family
members reported that music and the empathic interaction of "meaning
without words" was most important for them to ease into
the great transition to the stage after death. Hospice Kaiser
Walnut Creek, California.
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Getting People Who Normally Don't Volunteer
to Volunteer
In Ft. Smith there is an obvious need for a
house where people can go to live until their death. This facility
would be especially for persons whose families are no longer
able to care for them or who have no safe place to stay during
the last part of their life. Key people (clergy, physicians,
business leaders) from the community were challenged to meet
this need. They responded and brought more people on board.
This dream of a hospice house is finally becoming a reality.
These key people have volunteered and made a major contribution
all without their knowing they were volunteering. This has
been a high profile community outreach for our hospice, and
has been very rewarding. Now these key people think of Ft.
Smith Community Hospice when they think of hospice. Ft. Smith
Community Hospice, Ft. Smith, Arkansas
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Initial Visit Volunteer Team
Team of volunteers attend admission meeting,
meet patients, families, explain services, comfort patient.
This allows family to meet real life volunteers, (takes the
charity feel from volunteer concept), eases pressure on nurses,
social worker to explain services, decreases overwhelming feelings
of patient/ family on admission. Volunteers do assessment of
needs and then have more applicable information for their duties
(e.g., pets in home, physical limitations etc.) Hospice Care,
Inc., Stamford, Connecticut
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Care Calls
Care calls is a program we plan to institute
to be provided by our patient care volunteers (but not limited
to). The calls will be made to caregivers of our hospice families
to say "Hi, how are you this morning?" The program
is designed to support the caregiver, check on patient status
and see if their needs are being met. This information is reported
to the volunteer coordinator to be passed on to staff. If the
volunteer finds that a skilled individual should contact the
caregiver or patient, they are to call the agency immediately.
The program was developed for hospice families who are "on
hold" or are only receiving infrequent visits. Training
will be provided along with documentation forms. We feel this
is a great way to keep volunteers involved when they are doing
direct care and doesn't involve a great deal of time. Midpeninsula
Hospice, Mountain View, California
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The "Professional" Volunteer
There have been several frustrating occasions
where a volunteer has not been able to do requested respite
for a family because the patient requires medical hands-on
care during
the primary care givers absence (i.e. dressing changes, giving
suppositories). We have created a category of "professional
volunteer." That is, a volunteer who is also a licensed
nurse, who while doing respite with a patient, can take care
of that patient's medical needs. We record his/her nursing
license and all other date in our files for legal purposes.
This professional
volunteer is then supervised by the hospice clinical coordinator
while he/she is caring medically for a patient while doing
respite. This has met a great need for our patients/families.
I can see
this expanded to include the other disciplines, i.e., social
work, pastoral care. Merrimack Valley Hospice, Andover, Massachusetts
- Video Reports and Introductions for Families
We video the team members who care for a
particular patient whose children or significant family
members live far
away. This is done periodically and mailed to out-of-town
family. This allows the family to "know" who
we are when their family talks about us and to see how
their parent is doing along
the way. The volunteers do the videotaping. Birthday cakes
and flowers are provided by different merchants for a party.
This
was recently video taped by volunteers for family. It allowed
the out-of-towners to have a participation in the event
even though they couldn't be there. It's a resource for
the family
units and a fun job for the volunteers. Spohn Hospice,
Corpus Christi, Texas
- Volunteer Innovations
Combined staff and volunteer Human Resources
into a "jointly" managed department. Created
specialized volunteer teams for nursing homes, hospital,
assisted living
facilities, etc. Volunteer and staff train volunteers together.
Senior volunteers designated as volunteer training team
leaders. Hospice of Northwest Florida, Pensacola, Florida
- Volunteer Bath Team
We used volunteer Registered nurses as captains
and a volunteer (non-professional) as a second member who would
visit patients and give them a bath at the request of the hospice
nurse. Hospice of the Valley, Youngstown, Ohio
- Obtaining Written Rx for Narcotics
Volunteers pick up written Rx from physician's
office and take to the pharmacy. Pharmacy may deliver or
volunteer does, or family picks up. This helps both family
and staff. Sacred
Heart Hospice, Eugene, Oregon
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Using Humor and Music
We try to bring joy to our patients and to their
family members and one of the ways we do this, when appropriate,
is to include humor and music. We have done this in a variety
of ways. We have done birthday parties and special celebrations
by taking an electric keyboard to the home and singing songs
and playing music. For a birthday party we also bring along a
decorated cake, hats, napkins, perhaps a gift, etc. Things that
would please that particular person. In our volunteer office
we have a library. The actual cases were donated by a patient's
husband in his wife's memory and a brass plaques on the bookcases
indicates this. In the cases we have VCR films, books and cassette
tapes to loan. We also have a television, VCR and cassette tape
players to loan. We are proud of our memorial library because
we have a wonderful variety of music and information to offer:
religious tapes, classical music, pop tunes, country western,
meditation, relaxation and guided imagery tapes, Dr. Bernie Siegel,
Norman Cousins, Steve Allen, etc.. It is something for everyone!
It was a joy for our patient's husband and family to help us
build this library. It has been exciting adding items to the
library and the greatest reward of all comes from seeing patients'
faces when the items bring such happiness to them. We discuss
the importance of music and humor in our volunteer training.
Hospice of Fresno at Saint Agnes, Fresno, California
- Volunteer That Visits Patients on Special Occasions
Our Hospice has a volunteer that visits
patients and families on special occasions such as birthdays,
anniversaries,
of "just because" dressed as a clown. On this
visit he takes as a gift a mylar balloon or a cake. In
addition, cards
are sent for these special occasions. VNA Hospice of Indian
River County, Vero Beach, Florida
- Having Volunteers Take An Active Role
Our great idea is having volunteers take an active
role in ensuring that our patients are visited daily while they
are in the hospital. There are presently 15 members on the Volunteer
Hospital Team who are headed by one very active volunteer acting
as captain. The function of this team is to provide ongoing socialization
for the patient and provide respite for family members holding
vigil. The captain of the Hospital Team makes up a schedule to
cover our hospice patients in two hospitals. Volunteers go the
same day each week, with substitutes filling in whenever necessary.
Communication among the volunteers is important, as well as communication
between the Volunteer Coordinator and the captain of the Hospital
Team. As patients are admitted to the hospital. The captain is
notified and she in turn informs the team members who will be
visiting the hospital on their assigned day each week. They document
their visits in a volunteer narrative manual which is left at
the nurses station. These narratives are read daily by the volunteer
before they see the patients. The captain then delivers the notes
monthly to the Hospice office. On occasion the hospital team
has worked like a team to sit with a patient for long periods
of time to offer respite to the family. The volunteers who are
members of the hospital team are also encouraged to have a home
care patient who they visit also. Attendance in our hospice rooms
in the hospital can vary greatly. Therefore, a home care patient
keeps the volunteers active. ln addition, a monthly support meeting
is held for members of the Hospital Team. This meeting is attended
by the volunteer coordinator and the inpatient coordinator who
gives an update on the patients. These volunteers are a very
active and significant part of our Hospice Team. Hospice Care
Inc., Stamford, Connecticut
Return to Great Ideas
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On-Call Volunteer Program
At Hospice of Santa Barbara we have been very
successful with our On-Call Volunteer Program. We draw participants
for special training from our experienced patient care volunteers.
We then train this special group who are available, by phone,
during the hours our office is closed (from 5:30 PM to 8:30 AM on weekdays
and for 24 hours on Saturdays and Sundays). The on-call volunteers play two
very special roles in our organization. The on-call volunteer is available
for information or support by phone. Calls are forwarded by the answering
service and the volunteer acts as a representative to explain Hospice services
and more importantly to offer active listening to someone in immediate need.
Another function of the on-call volunteer is to accompany the on-call nurse
to the home at the time of a patient's death. The volunteer is then available
to assist the R.N. in whatever way she/he can help. The volunteer also offers
valuable understanding and assistance to the grieving family members. This
volunteer role is extremely supportive by accompanying our on-call RNs who
very often find themselves making a visit at a late hour. We equip our on-call
volunteer with a beeper so that he/she can be paged by the answering service
if necessary. We also provide an On-Call Volunteer Book with information
about our services, copies of the Admit Sheets for all current patients,
general information concerning resources in the community, etc. We have found
that the specialized area of patient care volunteer service has been very
satisfying. This program offers valuable help to our on-call nurses and the
families we serve. Hospice of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California
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Massage Training
When a massage therapist joined our volunteer
staff, massages became very popular throughout our unit. For
a period of three months she donated her time two mornings a
week to give free massages to staff and volunteers. In addition
to the relaxation and enjoyment, we began to see the therapeutic
value this "body work" could bring in symptom management
for our patients. Our massage therapist volunteer readily agreed
to develop a six week teaching environment (2 hours weekly) for
staff or volunteers interested in learning massage techniques.
During this six-week period individuals were taught to do massage
in the following areas: arm and hand, foot and leg, back rub,
and the 10 step-tune up (back and shoulder massage). At this
point we have a number of volunteers who have completed the training.
The majority of them have since used their massage techniques
with home care and inpatient program participants. The response
from our patients and caregivers receiving massage has been extremely
positive. Wausau Hospice Program, Wausau, Wisconsin.
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Christmas Caroling Party
At Xmas time, we do Light Up a Life, like some
other hospices, but we also do a special Xmas Caroling Party
for the volunteers and our patients. We have a pot luck dinner
at one of the volunteers homes, and then we have the SB Airbus
pick us up to go caroling to patients homes. We usually go to
about 6-8 homes, including our inpatient facility and 2 of the
AIDS homes in town. We prearrange with the families prior to
that night to make sure that we are welcome. That morning we
deliver gift baskets full of goodies that are donated by local
merchants to the homes that we will be caroling at. We usually
have someone that plays the guitar to lead us, and this year
someone came up with the great idea of providing a box of instruments
(like cymbals, bells, rattles, triangles, the kind of stuff kids
use in school), that those of us who are not musically inclined!
The patients, the families, the volunteers, the staff, the board,
everyone has a terrific time. Santa Barbara Hospice, Santa Barbara,
California
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Flowers
A volunteer who loves flower arranging is contacted
by staff prior to a patient's birthday or wedding anniversary.
She creates a lovely arrangement from flowers donated by local
funeral homes, then delivers the arrangement on the special day
with a card "from your friends at St. Thomas Hospice." These
have been received with delight by the patients and families;
also a very meaningful act of love by the volunteer. She also
makes arrangements for the nursing home patients and others to
bring some joy into their days. St. Thomas Hospice, Hinsdale,
Illinois
DOCUMENTATION
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Volunteer Phone Log
Every week before the interdisciplinary team meeting
the volunteer coordinator (or their appointee) calls all volunteers
that are active with patients. The current status of the patient
is discussed as well as any problem or potential problem. The
volunteer is asked to come to the IDT meeting if there is a problem
or they feel a need for further discussion. At the IDT meeting
the caller reports on what is happening with each volunteer and
their patient. If the team decides any changes are to be made
the volunteer is notified following the meeting. A detailed phone
log is maintained by the volunteer coordinator of all calls to
the volunteers. It contains date, time, length of call, and a
summary of the conversation. This phone log is used for all contacts
with the volunteer. This total "feedback" system helps
the volunteer to be an integral part of the IDT team. Iowa River
Hospice, Marshalltown, Iowa
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Two-Part NCR Volunteer Progress Notes
Forms to simplify record keeping/documentation.
In order to capture our Patient Care Volunteer hours and document
volunteer contacts for the patient's medical record, we devised
a two-part NCR form. The volunteers receive a supply of forms
during their volunteer training, along with the written instructions.
They record their patient contacts and turn in the forms once
a month. They are instructed to call immediately if they have
any concerns or questions about their patient, recognizing that
turnaround time for the forms could be up to a month. Once these
forms are received, the volunteer hours recorded, and the notes
read, the top copy is filed in the patient's medical record and
the bottom copy is filed in the volunteer's file in the Volunteer
Department. San Diego Hospice, San Diego, California
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Documentation Method
The form our hospice uses for volunteer reporting
is an easy method for both volunteers and staff. It allows for
either a check-off of the activity performed and/or including
space for a narrative portion. Plans are underway to tighten
the check-up portion, so that more room will be available for
narrative comments. The white portion becomes a part of the patient's
file and the yellow copy is utilized for logging the hours in
our computer. While the white portion is immediately a part of
the permanent record, the yellow portion does stay in the Volunteer
Office for the duration of the active case. This format makes
it easier for case/administrative reporting by both volunteers
and staff. For example: 1) Some volunteers would rather just
check off their activities, rather than do a narrative. 2) Easier
way for Coordinator to note volunteer activities which are telephoned
into the hospice. 3) Same form used by Coordinator for doing
assessments of cases. Wissahickon Hospice, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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