Hospice volunteers needed

Wurtsboro — This fall, beginning Wednesday, Sept. 5, a ten-week Hospice volunteer training program will be conducted in Wurtsboro at the Community Church of Wurtsboro, 135 Sullivan St. The weekly meetings will be held on Wednesday afternoons between 1 and 4 p.m. Director of Hospice Volunteer Services Debra Epstein is heading up efforts to recruit and train more Hospice volunteers to provide patient companionship, caregiver support in the community and office help. “Hospice is serving more and more people, therefore, the need is great for volunteers in all parts of our service area,” said Epstein. “We need a number of volunteers to provide transportation for the hospice patient and or caregiver to appointments, shopping, outings, etc. in geographic locations throughout Orange & Sullivan Counties.” A Hospice volunteer’s time is flexible and travel minimal. Hospice especially needs volunteers who live in the Bethel, Bloomingburg, Wurtsboro, Calicoon, Eldred, Fallsburgh, Ferndale, Forestburg, Glen wild, Grahamsville, Harris, Highland lake, Hurleyville, Kauneonga Lake, Kiamesha Lake, Liberty, Livingston Manor, Loch Sheldrake, Port Jervis, Mountaindale, Pond Eddy, Rock Hill, Woodridge, Wurtsboro, Youngsville, Bullville, Circleville, Middletown, Scotchtown, Montgomery, Pine Bush Westtown and Warwick areas. Hospice volunteers provide support to the patient and family in the following ways: • Companionship: The volunteer’s visit provides an opportunity for social contact and a break from routine. The volunteer will be trained in listening skills. •Transportation to and from a physician’s office or to run an errand • Caregiver relief: Remaining with the patient during a brief absence of family members. • Telephone contact: Extra attention may be needed at times of special stress. • Bereavement Support: Continued direct or indirect support during the bereavement period. • Office support in both Middletown and Newburgh for clinical and volunteer departments. • At the Kaplan Family Hospice Residence, volunteers will provide companionship and administrative support. It is mandatory that anyone wishing to volunteer for Hospice take the volunteer training. It is both educational and supportive. Hospice volunteers must be mature, sensitive and flexible individuals, willing to assist patients and families in a supportive manner and/or provide office support. For more information about becoming a Hospice volunteer, call Epstein at Hospice of Orange & Sullivan at 565-4849.