Hospice direct care volunteers help people facing terminal illness. This volunteer training covers the basic principles of hospice, understanding the special needs of patients and their families, effective communication, pain and symptom management, spiritual care giving, and understanding grief and loss. Direct care volunteers are trained in listening skills, family dynamics and being fully present with patients and their loved ones at the end of life. After completing the class, volunteers can provide respite for caregivers, offer companionship for the patient, run errands and help families and patients in many meaningful ways.

“We often hear from Hospice volunteers about how much satisfaction they get from working with patients and their families,” “said Amy Madigan-Dube, Coordinator of Volunteers and Client Services. “A visit, a listening ear, reading a book, a simple walk—no matter what the activity, the gift of time leaves a lasting impression on our patients and their families.”

The course will be held on October 12th and 13th, and October 19th and 20th. Friday evenings will be from 5-9pm and Saturdays are 9-4:30. Meals and snacks are included.

The training course will be located at Mayo Resource Center, 897 West Main Street, Dover-Foxcroft. Once training is complete, assignments and schedules are tailored to the volunteer's geographic and time commitment preferences. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. No previous hospice and health care experience is required.

Pre-registration is mandatory. For more information or to register, call Pine Tree Hospice at 564-4346. You may also download an application at www.pinetreehospice.org.