Volunteer Training Course: Hospice Wellington







			Volunteer Training Program Curriculum Sessions Session 1: Introduction to Hospice Care Session 2: Emotional & Psychological Issues of Death & Dying Session 3: The Art & Skill of Communication Session 4: The Family Session 5: Spiritual Issues of Death and Dying Session 6: Ethical Issues of Hospice Care Session 7: Stress & Stress Relief/Care for the Caregiver Session 8: Grief and Bereavement Session 9: Bedside Care and Infection Control Session 10: Addressing the Difficult Feelings of the Bereaved Session: 11: Progress of Disease and Pain Management Session 12: Nutrition & Challenges of Eating Session: 13: Approaching Death and Comfort Measures Session: 14: Volunteering at Hospice Wellington SESSION 1: INTRODUCTION TO HOSPICE CARE Historical overview of hospice generally and Hospice Wellington Definitions The significance of humour in care giving Introductions: to each other, the course, the facilitators Role of the volunteer in hospice care Job description of hospice volunteer Policies related to the volunteer's role Procedures (including reporting, internal communication etc.) related to the volunteer's role. Purpose and value of the support systems available to volunteers Relationship of hospice to other community agencies/the team approach Session Evaluation SESSION 2: THE ART AND SKILL OF SENSITIVE COMMUNICATION Define active listening, confidentiality, boundaries Discuss blocks to effective communication Discuss strategies to overcome barriers to effective communication Discuss and demonstrate techniques - of responding to silence - of active listening (responses, body language an positioning) Discuss differences between the role of a volunteer, a friend and a counsellor Discuss and demonstrate how to: - communicate your role effectively - how to broach difficult subjects, including saying "no" - remain accountable to the client in the face of difficult issues Session Evaluation SESSION 3: EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUES OF DEATH AND DYING Discuss different emotional responses to death Discuss the fears of terminally ill clients Practice methods for assisting the client Video - The First Snow Fall -discussion about the relevance of the video to the role of the volunteer Session Evaluation SESSION 4: THE FAMILY Definition of family and family systems Recognizing crises/abusive situations The volunteer's role with a family Video "Peter" and discussion Session Evaluation SESSION 5: SPIRITUAL ISSUES OF DEATH AND DYING Define: spirituality Personal exploration of one's own relationship to spirituality Exploration of the spiritual issues that arise for hospice clients and their caregivers Examination of the role of the volunteer in offering spiritual support to clients Session evaluation SESSION 6: STRESS AND STRESS RELIEF / CARE FOR THE CAREGIVER Definitions: stress Sources of stress in palliative care Signs of burn-out Coping strategies Supports available from Hospice Wellington Care for the Caregiver Session Evaluation SESSION 7: ETHICAL ISSUES IN HOSPICE CARE Define: ethics Influences on our personal ethics Basic ethical principles Typical ethical questions in hospice care Video "What About Me?" and discussion Session Evaluation SESSION 8: GRIEF AND BEREAVEMENT An overview of grief (including anticipatory), bereavement and mourning and how these states are manifested A discussion of society's difficulty with acknowledging and dealing with pain and death An exploration of how men and women grieve differently Through the use of a History and Time Line graph, participants will look at their personal losses and how they managed this time of their lives; how these experiences could help or hinder them as grief volunteers Session evaluation SESSION 9G: GRIEF COMPONENT -THE ROLE OF THE HOSPICE VOLUNTEER A description of how a volunteer/client relationship is set up, i.e. initial contact, assessment, matching. A discussion of the principles of confidentiality, contract and closure of volunteer/client relationships. An understanding of the concept and role of boundaries in volunteer/client relationships. An explanation of signs of healing which precede closure. A discussion of when to refer to the Bereavement Volunteer Coordinator for consultation. What are the role options for a volunteer? Session evaluation. SESSION 10G: GRIEF COMPONENT - ADDRESSING THE DIFFICULT FEELINGS OF THE BEREAVED Provide information about normal versus complicated responses to grief. (Refer to material on the grief response learned at Session One). Review Communication Skills learned in Session 2 of overall training. How are these applied here? Session evaluation. SESSION 11G: GRIEF COMPONENT - INTRODUCTION TO GRIEF SUPPORT GROUPS OBJECTIVES An understanding of how the 'same boat' experience in groups is therapeutic although not 'therapy'. A review of Hospice Wellington's Grief Group Manual to learn the process of each group session. Review developmental stages of groups, some common problems and how to respond. How do the facilitators assess the appropriateness of group participants? Session evaluation. SESSION 9P: PALLIATIVE COMPONENT - PROGRESS OF DISEASES AND PAIN MANAGEMENT Part 1: Identify major life threatening illnesses Information will be specific to each illness Part 2: Define different types of pain: acute, chronic Discuss total pain experience: emotional, social, physical Basic assessment skills -how to ask questions -how to observe for symptoms -how and when to report new or disturbing symptoms Identify various technologies available for pain and symptom management - different types of drugs used, side effects, addiction and tolerance - hospice policies for giving medication - complementary therapies that help control pain Session Evaluation SESSION 10P: PALLIATIVE COMPONENT - NUTRITION AND THE CHALLENGES OF EATING / INFECTION CONTROL What does eating mean in our society? In other cultures? How do these meanings interfere with care for the dying person? What is a balanced diet for a dying person? Recognize when to change dietetic focus from nutritional benefit to comfort Comprehend the fear, frustration and anger experienced over the loss of ability to eat Suggestions to improve nutrition and alleviate loss of appetite Supporting the family Practice feeding considering safety measures Video "Dealing with Death and Dying" and discussion Discuss and demonstrate standard infection control precautions most appropriate for volunteers Demonstrate and practice appropriate ways to : use gloves, manage needles & clean up body substances Discuss the need and importance for these precautions Session evaluation SESSION 11P: PALLIATIVE COMPONENT - APPROACHING DEATH, BEDSIDE CARE & COMFORT MEASURES Myths about how death occurs Signs and symptoms of imminent death Comfort measures appropriate to that time Signs that death has occurred What to do when death occurs Hospice policy around DNR, the role of the volunteer at the time of death Basic comfort measures Posture and body mechanics Practice lifts, transfers & toileting Make an occupied bed Practice basic positioning & turning Session Evaluation SESSION 12: VOLUNTEERING AT HOSPICE WELLINGTON Discussion with panel of Hospice volunteers Evaluation of volunteer training program Closing ritual