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Volunteer
Pathway Volunteer Program
One of the biggest fears people have is that they will die alone. While we cannot guarantee patients will not die alone, we have developed a volunteer program to address this need.
The Pathway Volunteer Program was created to offer additional emotional support to patients and families. Pathway volunteers are available on an on-call basis to sit at the bedside of patients who are within two to three days of dying. They can hold a hand, read, play music, give a hand massage or just “be there” when no one else can. They do not take the place of concentrated care nurses, as volunteers can not feed patients, administer medications or provide personal cares.
Pathway volunteers receive additional training on providing care at the end of life and recognizing the changes that occur in a patient’s body as a disease progresses. They are comfortable being at the bedside of patients who are within days of dying.
The following are some specific scenarios in which a Pathway volunteer can be arranged.
- A family is tired and needs to get some sleep but does not want the patient to be alone.
- A family member is trying to get home before the death of a loved one and would like someone to be at the bedside until they get there.
- A patient has no family and patient is fearful of dying alone.
- A family member would be more comfortable having someone with them at the patient’s bedside.
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"I’m not afraid of dying, it’s getting there that worries me."
Pathway volunteers feel that it is a privilege to participate at the end of a patient’s life. One volunteer shared that the patient firmly held her hand until the death. Another described how the patient became more relaxed when given a hand massage, or when soothing music was being played.
The Pathway Volunteer Program provides additional support to patients, families, facility staff and Hospice of the Red River Valley staff alike. If you are interested in learning more or applying for this program contact us.
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