Tanner Hospice Care — the region’s only nonprofit, community-based hospice service — is seeking volunteers in Carroll, Douglas, Haralson, Heard and Paulding counties.
Men and women over the age of 18 are needed, especially during normal working hours. Those who would like to volunteer but must work or attend school during the day can volunteer in the evenings and on the weekends.
“Volunteers are a vital part of Tanner Hospice Care,” said Debbie Brock, director of in-home services for Tanner Health System. “They donate their time because their hearts have led them to do so and they want to make a difference in someone’s life. We have volunteers from across west Georgia who are eager to help a patient or family in any possible way. Usually, the patient just wants some company – someone to sit and chat with.”
Many who volunteer with Tanner Hospice Care have first-hand experience in losing someone close to them, and that helps provide a level of sensitivity to the patient’s family’s particular situation, said Brock.
Tanner Hospice Care volunteers should be caring, and able to realize the needs of patients and their families. Volunteers should also be able to express emotional maturity, given that the work can at times be emotionally demanding, and volunteers must be able to discuss the subject of death and dying in an honest and open manner if necessary to help patients and their families face their situations and make the necessary emotional, practical and financial preparations. Devotion to the work is also necessary.
Tanner Hospice Care volunteers may provide service in several ways, including providing relief to caregivers, running errands, providing physical care (such as help moving around), performing household chores, promoting community awareness of Tanner Hospice Care, helping with office tasks, listening to the concerns of patients and families, and providing bereavement support to grieving families.
Training and support are offered to those who are interested in becoming a volunteer.
For more information on volunteering with Tanner Hospice Care, contact Tanner Hospice Care at 770-214-2355 or visit www.tanner.org/hospicevolunteer.