Miles & St. Andrews Home Health & Hospice is offering a free training course for all those interested in becoming a certified Hospice Volunteer. The three day training will be held on Oct. 17, 18 and 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Coulombe Center for Health Improvement, located on the LincolnHealth - St. Andrews Campus in Boothbay Harbor.

“Hospice care focuses on enhancing quality of life when time is short. It involves an inter-disciplinary team consisting of doctors, nurses, social workers and chaplains working together to address the medical, physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs of the patient,” said MSAHHH Executive Director Kathy Bean, RN. “In keeping with hospice's deeply humane and community-oriented roots, the team also includes Hospice Volunteers.”

Miles & St. Andrews Home Health & Hospice volunteer training covers the basic principles of hospice, understanding the special needs of patients and their families, effective communication, patient care, pain and symptom management, spiritual care giving, and understanding grief and loss. Hospice volunteers are trained in listening skills, family dynamics and the right words to say to patients and their loved ones at the end of life. The training meets a portion of the requirements needed to become certified as a Hospice Volunteer. Other requirements include background checks, health screening, and a post-training interview. All are provided at no cost to prospective volunteers by LincolnHealth.

After completing the class, volunteers are able to provide respite for caregivers, offer companionship for the patient, and help families and patients in many meaningful ways. Residents of Lincoln and Knox counties are encouraged to join Miles & St. Andrews Home Health & Hospice’s supportive and rewarding volunteer program, where they can contribute their unique interests, skills, and talents. Volunteers from the Boothbay peninsula are especially needed.

Hospice Volunteers come from all walks of life, but what they have in common are excellent listening skills, a high degree of personal integrity and reliability and a special compassion for dying patients and the family and friends who care for them. To be comfortable in the role, volunteers must be emotionally stable and mature enough to be able to talk openly about death and loss. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age, have their own transportation and be willing to volunteer 4 to 6 hours per week, on average.

The deadline for course application is Oct. 6. For more information or to request an application form, call Connie Jones at 563-4177 or email connie.jones2@lchcare.org