Hunterdon Hospice Will Offer Volunteer Training

Published January 22, 2010

Are you a good listener, compassionate and empathetic towards others and want to help people in your community?  Then you may want to consider becoming a volunteer for Hunterdon Hospice.  Hospice offers a special kind of care designed to support and comfort people living with a terminal illness.  Hospice volunteers receive training, which prepares them to provide assistance to patients and their families in Hunterdon County. Hunterdon Hospice is now accepting applications for its training program. 

Volunteers provide valuable emotional support to both patients and families and help keep families connected to the community.  At times they may assist with the patient’s personal care, help with household tasks and errands, or provide respite to caregivers and family members.  “We would love to find people who have skills as hairdressers because many times our patients cannot get out too get a haircut, and they miss this so much.  Volunteers usually work between 2-4 hours a week when they have a patient assignment.  When families are in need it is the little things in life that are important.  Volunteers form relationships with their patients and the patients’ loved ones which transcend their role as a “volunteer.” They provide whatever support is needed to enable the family to continue to function,” explains Joy Stump, Volunteer Coordinator for Hunterdon Hospice.  When asked if this work is very sad or depressing Stump stated, “I continuously hear from our volunteers that this is life-affirming work.  They experience moments of laughter and friendship.  Patients teach them about life and how to live ones’ life with courage, dignity and always hope.  Our volunteers go home at the end of the day knowing they have helped make a difference in someone’s life.” 

The training program is comprehensive and in-depth and helps the prospective volunteer learn about hospice care and its mission and philosophy.  The training will help prepare the person to be with patients and their families.
Hunterdon Hospice is a Medicare-certified, non-profit organization, which coordinates home-based supportive services in the homes of its patients.  The training will take place at the Hospice Office located at 215 Route 31 South in Flemington.

To arrange for an interview contact Joy Stump, Volunteer Coordinator at 908-788-2573 or e-mail her at stump.joy@hunterdonhealthcare.org.