Upcoming Niagara Hospice volunteer training

Niagara Hospice is recruiting volunteers to attend the first 2019 volunteer training session, scheduled from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21 at its administration building at 4675 Sunset Drive in Lockport.

Prospective volunteers interested in attending the session can contact the Niagara Hospice volunteer office at 280-0748 for an application.

“We are in need of more volunteers interested in working with our hospice patients,” said Lisa Schmidt, volunteer services coordinator. “Requests for friendly volunteer visits have grown, and we will match volunteers with our patients for a variety of duties, providing a meaningful experience for everyone.”

The most immediate needs for volunteers are making home visits to patients in Lockport, North Tonawanda and Niagara Falls and visiting residents in hospice care at Jeanne’s House at Northgate in North Tonawanda and at David’s Path at Schoellkopf Health Care Facility in Niagara Falls. There is also a demand for certified pet visit volunteers and licensed hairdressers who can cut home care patients’ hair.

There are many other volunteer opportunities available to assist patients and families as well as indirect patient care, including the following activities:

·Transportation for shopping or medical visits.

·Light housework or home repairs.

·Veterans to visit with patients who are veterans as part of the We Honor Veterans program.

·Vigil Team volunteers.

·Music visits.

·Working at special events and contributing to other fundraising activities.
While visiting patients, volunteers may just talk, read the newspaper or a book to the patient, play cards or participate in other activities. They may also provide a hand to hold while the family caregivers take a much-deserved break.

For more information about volunteer opportunities and hospice services, visit NiagaraHospice.org.

About Niagara Hospice:
Since 1988, Niagara Hospice, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has provided end-of-life comfort, care and support to more than 25,000 Niagara County individuals and families faced with terminal illnesses. Patients receive hospice care in the location and manner that offers the most comfort, and it is appropriate for any advanced stage illness where the prognosis is six months or less. Patients with exclusively Medicaid coverage can receive care for 12 months. Every person has access to hospice care regardless of ability to pay. For more information, visit NiagaraHospice.org or call 716-439-4417 (or 716-HOSPICE).