Volunteers welcomed at Hospice of Northwest Alabama

WINFIELD — Hospice of Northwest Alabama Volunteer Coordinator Carleigha Duckworth recently shared some information about volunteers with our office. We’d like our readers to be aware of this information, and we encourage those who are interested in volunteering to contact her.
“Would you like to give the gift of helping someone with a life-limiting illness live their life to the fullest?” she asked.
“We warmly invite you to serve as a volunteer with us at Hospice of Northwest Alabama. Please join our hospice family in providing comfort and companionship by sharing your time and talents with our special hospice patients.”
She noted the organization’s staff is available to “guide, encourage and cheer you on in this rewarding journey.”
“The Hospice of Northwest Alabama family appreciates your decision to offer your time and talents to our patients and families,” she added. “We are honored to work side by side with you in such a special area of end-of-life care.”

What does a
volunteer do?
Duckworth said there are many different types of volunteers and many ways to get involved.
Volunteer types include: companionship or meaningful presence, reflective listening, light housekeeping, light meal preparation, dog walking, life review/conversation, reading/card writing, music therapy, making cards for patients, baked goodies, caregiver support, caregiver respite, arts and crafts, play therapy (games), administrative (clerical tasks, office errands, organization of events), interpreter service (including sign language), minor home repairs and donations/personal hygiene items.

Get involved
Duckworth invites you to “get involved” and join in this “special kind of caring.”
She mentioned people volunteer for hospice for various reasons, including:
• Providing companionship and social support to patients;
• Filling the gap for patients who don’t have family members to visit them;
• Wanting to give back after experiencing compassionate care for their loved ones;
• Contributing to a good cause and making their community a better place; and
• Finding personal fulfillment and developing career skills.
Volunteers play
an invaluable role
She noted, “Volunteers help provide a deeper level of service for hospice patients. Plus, some patients don’t have family members who can visit them, and volunteers can help fill that gap and provide social support for patients. Interacting with volunteers can improve a patient’s quality of life.
“People often become hospice volunteers because they are moved by the compassionate care their loved ones receive, and they want to give back through volunteering. Volunteering allows them to contribute, be part of a good cause, and make their community a better place.
“Hospice volunteers play an invaluable role in the lives of patients and families facing end-of-life challenges. Their compassionate presence, emotional support and practical assistance create a positive image during a time of vulnerability and uncertainty.”
Duckworth emphasized Hospice of Northwest Alabama strives to give its patients the personal/medical care, love and compassion they deserve during this time in their lives.
“Being a volunteer with us can impact not only our patients’ lives, but yours, too,” she said. “The amount of gratitude you will experience meeting and getting to help the patients will leave a long, warm lasting impression on your life!”
She also explained not all volunteers want to go into patient homes or care facilities.
“That is completely okay,” she said. “Those types of volunteers end up making baked goods, donating hygiene products or making lap blankets or even fidget blankets. The patients love them!
“Our volunteers who go into the home do things with the patients based off their likes. For example, some patients just want someone to sit and talk to. Other patients want to play card games or listen to their favorite music. Some patients simply want someone to read to them.
“Being a volunteer can be so rewarding in the long run. We’d love for you to join our volunteer team.”
Interested volunteers can contact Duckworth at 205-487-8140.