OUR CIRCLES OF VOLUNTEERS

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RMHvolunteersfind it personally gratifying, intellectually stimulating, and emotionally meaningful to assist those in need at a critical point in their lives. Many of ourvolunteers were introduced to hospice through the death of a family member and understand firsthand the value of hospice care, but nearly 20% of volunteers are new to hospice. Volunteers consistently report that helping the terminally ill through hospice is not about dying but about living.

RMH has manyareas where people of all ages you can serve as a volunteer.Participants may range in age from teens to senior citizens. OurDirector of Volunteersstrives to constructively utilize the time and talents of those who answer the call to serve. Some volunteers may have professional skills or specialized expertise, but most are just people who want to help their friends and neighbors and serve their community.

RMH Volunteer Opportunities.

Volunteers are the heart of hospice and exemplify the hospice concept. RMH relies on the generosity of volunteers to fulfill our mission. Many of our programs and services would not be possible if it were not for the countless hours donated by caring individuals from the communities we serve. All RMH volunteers are trained to ensure that they are equipped for the challenge of working with the dying. Each volunteer is asked to complete an extensive orientation and trainingdeveloped for their area of interest , as well as submit to a routine background check, before a service assignment is made. Its important that our volunteers understand the history of hospice and are aware of the specific philosophy that RMH practices in service delivery. The following are areas available for volunteer service.

RMH Patient Care Volunteersprovide support and care for our terminally ill patients, of all ages, so they can live life as full and comfortably as possible. An affirmation of life, hospice enables people to live until they die and we equip their families to go on living after they are gone. Volunteers make a remarkable difference in the lives of the patients and their family members at a time when emotional needs are profound. Patient care volunteering can be in the areas of:

Companion Care Volunteersprovide companionship and support to patients and families in the patients home, nursing home or assisted living center. Services might include visiting, reading, taking walks, writing letters, playing games, sharing music, supervising visits with pets, even massage therapy for volunteers with the necessary skills.

Family Respite and Support Volunteerscan assist with tasks such as shopping, household cleaning, or allow family caregivers the opportunity to take care of necessary errands and get some time away from the house. Family members also appreciate a visit from a compassionate friend who understands what they are going through.

Bereavement Volunteerswork closely with the hospices Director of Bereavement and professional counselors in duties that range from providing companionship and support to family members and friends who have lost a loved one to assisting at support group meetings or helping with mailings to clients and families.

Office Volunteersprovide administrative support to the hospice staff. Filing, computer input, assembling information packets, telephone support and reception work are examples of the types of work done by our office volunteers.

Community Education Volunteersjoin with professional staff members to assist in educating the community, in a variety of settings, about the benefits of hospice care and other important topics.

Special Event & Fundraising Volunteerswork with the Director of Business Development by assisting RMH with community programs and events that raise funds and community awareness of hospice care.