Hospice of Aroostook recently offered end-of-life care training for persons interested in becoming a hospice volunteer. Volunteers become an integral part of a team of professional members who provide care to terminally ill patients and their families.
Hospice of Aroostook is very pleased to welcome Ashley Brewer, Mars Hill; Sharon Duncan, Mapleton; Michele Lombard-Fowler, Helen McConnell, Dayna Wishart, all of Presque Isle; and James and Martha Pritchard, Chapman, as our newest team members! They have successfully completed a 30-hour training course that covered the topics of hospice philosophy, personal death awareness, family relationships, funeral aspects, pain and symptom management, spirituality and bereavement.
Hospice volunteers support the program by providing care for patients and families, attending trainings, and offering clerical support, fundraising, helping at health fairs and assisting with memorial projects and bereavement care.
“Each volunteer has something special to offer,” explains Robin Haynes, volunteer manager. “Some have more time, some less. We tailor their volunteer experience to their interests and availability.”
Janet Durgin helped instruct the training, which included her daughter, Dayna Wishart, and granddaughter, Ashley Brewer. They represent three generations who share a passion for hospice care.
Hospice of Aroostook is part of Eastern Maine HomeCare and has been providing services for 30 years. Last year, the staff and volunteers provided compassionate end-of-life care to 188 patients and their families. Thanks to the membership in EMHS and dedicated, Maine-based volunteer board of directors, the organization helps ensure that the mission to offer high quality home health and hospice services is fulfilled.
For more information about services, please visit www.easternmainehomecare.org. Those interested in learning more about hospice volunteer opportunities in northern, central and southern Aroostook should contact Robin Haynes, 498-2578 or rhaynes@emhs.org.
