RCMS Palliative Care Volunteer Services
Needs You!
Community Palliative Care Volunteers are essential partners in the success of the program. RCMS greatly appreciates the of your time in supporting the compassionate work needed for patients and loved ones dealing with end of life issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Who are Palliative Care Volunteers?
Our volunteers are men and women of all ages and backgrounds. They are special people who give of themselves and their time to help others through the RCMS Palliative Care Program. These Volunteers work in coordination with the RCMS Hospice Medical Team. What services do the Palliative Care Volunteers perform? The majority of our volunteers assist clients and family members by offering:
Palliative Care Volunteers are specially trained? All volunteers working with clients must complete at least 50% of the 6 training meetings annually that includes insight into their own attitudes towards illness and death, as well as training with respect to the physical and emotional needs of clients and their families. When does a Palliative Care Volunteer visit? Some families or individuals prefer a regularly scheduled visit. Others prefer to contact the volunteer, or have the volunteer contact them, to set up times when needed. Others will use volunteer support intermittently, or on an as-needed basis. What does a Palliative Care Bereavement Volunteer do? Our Bereavement Volunteers are men and women who have received training related to grief and loss. These volunteers will be able to provide support, either in person or on the phone, at the end of life, or after the death of a loved one. A specially trained group of volunteers is also available to provide support and assistance when death is unexpected or sudden. |
Who may use Palliative Care Services?
RCMS patients who become physically incapacitated, through illness, age, or injury, or are terminally ill and need help have access to the services of our Palliative Care Volunteers. Most referrals are to comfort the terminally ill patient and their loved ones. Family caregivers in need of respite and physical or emotional support may also make use of these services. What do I need to do to become a Palliative Care Volunteer? You must be willing to comfort the terminally ill or family members who have lost a loved one. All prospective volunteers have a telephone interview, complete an application and sign a confidentiality statement. Fingerprinting is a requirement; RCMS will reimburse any costs, if requested. If you plan on driving as a Shamli Hospice Volunteer, you will need to have a CA DMV background check and provide a copy of your driver’s license and insurance. Call the Palliative Care Volunteer Director at 882-1704 x 121 and there will be an initial face to face meeting to discuss Volunteer requirements. RCMS Support groups Palliative Care Volunteers also run a series of support groups that meet regularly to discuss ways of coping with such things as the stress of caregiving, or the loss of a loved one. Group meetings are facilitated by volunteers, and are designed to provide support to individuals and to work toward sharing experiences and mutual problem-solving. Are there any charges for Palliative Care Volunteer Services? Volunteer support is provided to RCMS patients and their families at no charge. However, donations to support this program, and provide on-going training for our volunteers, are always greatly appreciated. Please send any contributions to RCMS Palliative Care Program, P.O. Box 1100, Gualala, CA 95445. Thank you. For more information about any of these Palliative Care Volunteer Services, please call 707-882-1704 x 121 |
Services Our palliative care Volunteers Can - and Cannot - Provide
Here is a list of some of the types of services that Palliative Care Volunteers may be able to provide to RCMS clients and their families or loved ones:
Our volunteers cannot provide the following:
- Keep client safe while caregiver has some respite time.
- Provide emotional support to client and family.
- Assist with personal grooming such as - brush hair, apply lotion to hands and arms, provide fingernail care (emery board and polish – no clippers or scissors), apply make-up.
- Hand pre-measured medications to patients who are able to self-medicate.
- Provide transportation to the client or caregiver.
- Take client on outings
- Help client with personal concerns such as – Write letters for client, help with a scrapbook, encourage and listen to life review.
- Provide companionship, music, and read to client.
- Feed client, if he/she has not swallowing difficulties.
- Help client/caregiver with light housekeeping such as, help caregiver change bed linens, do errands, shop for groceries, prepare a light meal, help with laundry, light gardening, assist with pets/walk a dog, etc.
Our volunteers cannot provide the following:
- Transfer or do ambulatory assists if client cannot walk safely.
- Provide help with incontinent care; change Depends, toilet clients, or clean a client after toileting.
- Provide oral care.
- Administer any type of medication.
- Dress a client.
- Advise on legal matters.
- Specifically recommend any support services outside of Hospice/Special Care.
- Move heavy household items, or do heavy housework
