Hospice Volunteer Training Offered

BROOKFIELD — Patient and family volunteers are needed for Hospice and Palliative Care of Connecticut, a program of the Connecticut VNA. Patient care volunteers directly support patients and their families by offering companionship, socialization, respite, and a gift of “presence.”

During January and February, members from the Hospice interdisciplinary team will present a 15-hour intensive training program in the Newtown and Danbury area. Information covered includes the history and philosophy of hospice, the role of the volunteer, clinical aspects of death and dying, communication skills, family dynamics, spirituality issues, as well as grief and bereavement skills. Anyone interested in supporting the hospice team with this work should contact Susan Burns at 800/455-8428.

The Connecticut VNA is a team of individuals dedicated to excellence in Home Health and Hospice Care. The company is a not-for-profit Medicare-certified, state-licensed provider for clients throughout Connecticut. Accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), the Connecticut VNA has 14 patient service offices and over 2,300 employees enabling it to serve the entire Connecticut population.