The heart of hospice care is the community of special individuals who choose to give gifts from the finest part of themselves. We truly believe that the gifts you will receive from your participation in this organization and from the courageous families we serve will be equal to, or perhaps even exceed, the gifts you give.
If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact Catrinka Holland at 885-7547 or nhh.volcoord@hawaiiantel.net.
The Role of Volunteers
North Hawaii Hospice Volunteers help in many ways. Those who choose to provide direct patient care assist patients, caregivers, and family members by doing the little things that make a big difference. These include:
- Being companions to the patients and their family members
- Spending time with patients when family members need time away to rejuvenate or to take care of other matters
- Running errands or assisting with household chores
- Providing healthful meals
- Helping with bathing or personal care. And most importantly…
- Sitting, listening, and caring.
We are also extremely grateful for the many Volunteers who share their time and talents in other ways such as:
- Assisting in the office
- Maintaining the lending library
- Organizing and attending fundraising events
- Speaking at community education engagements
Training for Volunteers
The staff of NHH offer training 2 times a year for those interested in becoming Volunteers. The training is 15-18 hours, involves the NHH medical director, staff and volunteers. It covers:
- The hospice philosophy and services
- Death and dying and terminal illnesses
- The grieving process
- Universal precautions
- Family dynamics
- Communication skills
- Spirituality and cultural differences
And, remember, the staff at NHH are always here for support. We welcome feedback and suggestions and if you need to discuss a patient issue, we are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 885-7547.
Advocacy
We thank our Volunteers for being advocates for NHH in the community. By sharing your interest in providing compassionate end-of-life care to your neighbors and loved ones, you remind others to learn more about these issues and to get involved in building a stronger community for all.
To access the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s advocacy webpage, click here.