Volunteer Volunteers provide a valuable help to hospice patients and families. Volunteers who work with hospice serve in a number of roles: Administration and support, public speaking and community education, fundraising and other special events, and even one-on-one service with patients. Those who are licensed professionals in massage therapy and hair styling, or specialists in pet and music therapy are a real blessing to the clients and families using hospice. Hospice programs are very appreciative of the people who freely give their time and energy to show care and compassion to patients and families during such a difficult time. Anyone who is interested in volunteering with homecare and hospice services must undergo thorough training that will adequately prepare them for hospice work. The training course offered by Lourdes Hospice covers topics such as psychological and spiritual issues, communication and listening skills, as well as the physical aspects and progression of terminal illness. There are more topics covered in volunteer training and the course assures that all volunteers with Lourdes Hospice are equipped to offer the best care possible for both the hospice patient and the family.
National Hospice Month Observe National Hospice Month in November and learn more about the hospice services in your local area. Get in touch with Lourdes Homecare and Hospice to discover more about their services, and if you have some extra time, consider serving as a hospice volunteer. Find out more about local hospice and home care by visiting www.eLourdes.com/hospice.asp and www.eLourdes.com/homecare.asp. If you or someone you know would like information about hospice care or about volunteering with any of Lourdes Hospice programs, you may contact them at (270) 415-3636 or by emailing at SPoindexter@Lourdes-PAD.org.
Palliative Care A part of the services Lourdes provides is palliative care. This care is for patients who are not at the end of their life and need hospice, but instead they have an incurable illness that could last for years to come. Anyone with a diagnosis of a life-limiting illness should gather hospice information at the beginning of that diagnosis. Even if they are seeking curative measures, that information will become invaluable later in the diagnosis to make a proactive, informed decision to choose hospice. Most regular insurance companies as well as Medicare and Medicaid usually cover most hospice services. Homecare and hospice personnel can help families with the paperwork often associated with paying for these services.
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Camp Robin This is the 30th year that Lourdes Hospice has provided services in our regional. Today they serve 16 counties, including three in Illinois and 13 in Kentucky. Our local hospice programs also provide bereavement programs and caregiver support groups for the loved ones of hospice patients. Lourdes Hospice has provided a children’s grief camp, Camp Robin, for the past ten years. Camp Robin is a day for children who have experienced the loss of a loved one or friend. This year on National Children’s Grief Awareness Day, November 21, they are honoring children who have lost a loved one by wearing the National Children’s Grief Day blue t-shirts. The program is also working with area schools to reach students who have been affected by loss. v