Hospice Training Session Forming Now

DANBURY — Masonicare Home Health and Hospice will be starting a training class this spring for volunteers interested in working with its hospice patients in the Danbury area.

Volunteers participate in many tasks, depending on their personal abilities and interests. Volunteers may: provide companionship to hospice patients and families, respite caregivers, animal assisted therapy, share gifts of music and expressive arts, or help in the office and with additional training volunteers may assist Masonicare’s bereavement and spiritual care staff.

Hospice volunteers have said the training is full of life lessons, as well as excellent preparation for the hospice volunteer opportunities ahead, according to volunteer coordinator Jo-Ann Niski.

Topics covered in the free hospice training include the history and philosophy of hospice, the role of the volunteer, clinical aspects of dying, communication skills, family dynamics, issues of spirituality and religion, and grief and bereavement. Each session’s presenter is a member of Masonicare’s hospice team and will share his or her personal experiences.

For more information about Masonicare Home Health and Hospice or about the free hospice volunteer training program and how to get involved, call Ms Niski at 775-0675.