Hospice Compassus seeking volunteers

Hospice Compassus, which provides services for terminally ill patients in their homes, is seeking volunteers who will help patients in various ways like providing companionship, crafting items or even baking treats.
  
After training is completed, volunteers determine how much time they can commit to hospice work.
 
"Even if they dedicate as little as two hours a month or six hours a week, all efforts are appreciated and much-needed," said Lorene Richards, volunteer coordinator.
 
"Our volunteers give their time, talent and hearts generously and unselfishly, and often feel they receive more than they give."
 
Amberly Hodgin, executive director of Hospice Compassus in Yuma, said volunteers are key in providing the extra attention and service required to make the lives of their patients and their families more comfortable.
 
"Volunteers are the heart of hospice. They are the people who will come in and sit with the patients when they can't leave their homes. They provide companionship to the lonely. We are looking for as many volunteers as we can get."
 
Hodgin said volunteers must pass a background check and complete 30 hours of training before they are certified through the organization.
 
According to Richards, volunteers can pick an area they feel most comfortable in.
 
Rescue chefs are volunteers who are willing to occasionally bake or help with grocery shopping for patients and families.
 
Crafters make a variety of projects such as holiday decorations and greeting cards.
 
The cookie brigade bakes cookies and delivers them to patients in their homes.
 
Project Runway is the name of the volunteers who like to sew and are willing to make hospital gowns for hospice patients.
 
Phone buddies call patients and their caregivers to see how they are doing and to provide emotional support for the family.
 
Caregiver relief team members spend time with patients in their homes so the caregiver can have time to go shopping, visit the doctor or just get away to relax for a while
 
Richards said the hospice care focuses on quality of life, pain and symptom management, and provides emotional spiritual support for patients and their families who are facing the final phase of a terminal illness.
 
The next training class begins Wednesday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.. The course will run for eight weeks, with one additional class July 25 from 10 a.m to 4 p.m
 
Classes will be held at the Hospice Compassus office at 1025 W. 24th St., Suite 15.
 
For more information, call 344-6100.