VOLUNTEER: When Time is Precious * * * YOU ARE NEEDED * * * Friendship ...Acts of Kindness...Gifting Others with Your Talent...Crafting...Sewing...Crocheting...Knitting...Quilting...etc....Singing or Playing Music... Office Support Please consider sharing a small amount of your time with us. COMPANIONSHIP: Visiting the patient in their own home or in a nursing home Activities: Reading, Conversation, Playing card/table games, Play music/sing, Help with a hobby, Etc. RESPITE: For the Family Caregivers Activities: Providing a break for the caregiver(s) to attend church, medical appointments, run errands or grocery shop, get their hair cut, take a nap or another "taking care of yourself activity." EXTRA SET OF HANDS or HANDY MAN/WOMAN: Activities: Helping families with practical matters such as shopping for them, preparing a meal and taking it to the family, tidying up an area of the house, lawn care, snow shoveling, etc. CARE GIVER COMPANION: Activities: Initially, may entail calling the care giver weekly to daily to make sure they are OK and if they need anything. Once a relationship is established, care givers may be more open to the volunteer becoming the extra set of hands or provide respite care. SPECIAL PROJECTS: Activities: Making welcome bags or baskets for new patients, art/craft projects or treat bags for various Holidays for the patients/families, special bed pads for the patients, lap blankets and shawls, etc. as well as assisting with other projects such as celebrating Hospice month. OFFICE ASSISTANCE: Activities: Preparing the monthly bereavement mailings, preparing and collating the special mailings, phone calls to verify and update information on lists, sorting patient information for their clinical file, Xeroxing forms and materials for manuals and trainings, refilling forms bin, collating new patient packets, etc. AMBASSADOR: Activities: Representing Tip Hospice in the community such as talking with co-workers and friends about the services and volunteer needs, presenting to organizations, attending booths at health fairs or other events, hostess at events, etc. BEREAVEMENT CARE: Activities: Phone calls, cards, and visits for one year with a bereaved individual. Especially, bereaved that are isolated due to their health or provide care for other family members. PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE: Activities: Researching for various materials for resources and trainings, assisting in conducting quality assurance activities, develop and maintain lists and tools, and other tasks based on education and skills. EXPECTATIONS OF VOLUNTEERS Initial Participate in an initial orientation (small group or one-on-one); Small group is encouraged for the sharing and opportunity of getting to know others. Agree to a criminal background check (initially); a copy of your social security card is required by the state of Missouri for this process Complete a TB (PPD) test (required for all volunteers who will be doing direct work with patients, families or involved in community activities on behalf of Tip Hospice; it is recommended for all). This can be completed at the Tip Hospice office. On-going Participate in on-going training (small group one to two times a year; read training article in quarterly newsletter) Keep TB test current (will receive reminders from Volunteer Coordinator) Coordinate volunteer assignments with the Tip Hospice Volunteer Coordinator Keep a record of volunteer hours and activities, submit monthly Encourage attendance and/or participation in the annual memorial celebration Art or Craft Project- (these are examples only; also, see holidays) Bird feeder or house that can easily be hung for patient's viewing. Something decorative to hang in the window (light catcher) or wall decoration. Container or tray of some kind for the bed side to hold lotion, pens, paper note pad, glasses, etc. Cards-hello, I am so and so, a little about themselves, and that they hope the (patient) is having a good day Sewing, crocheting and knitting (slippers, stuffed animals, carrying bags for walker, etc.) ETC. (provide your idea to the volunteer coordinator) Celebrating Holidays Projects January--Snow Flakes or Snowmen-decorative; cards too Valentines Day-Cards, etc. Spring Decorative or Easter; cards too May Day 1st-a flower or plant July 4th--decoration Fall Decorative or Thanksgiving; cards too Dec.-general holiday decorative Dec. -holiday gift bags for patients ETC. (provide your idea to the volunteer coordinator Activities Make a tape(s) or CD(s) of your singing or playing music; or read and record a story on tape(s) or CD(s) for the patients Write a poem or story to share with our patients/families Rake leaves in late fall-November. This could be part of Hospice Month Activities. Christmas Caroling - individual homes or nursing homes in which our patient's reside Spring Yard Clean-up; or planting a small area or flower pot Visiting-possibly older teens and as a pair; would need more training/preparation time and close supervision. ETC. (provide your idea to the volunteer coordinator) Activities Office Support Occasional Mailings-fold, stuff, label o Assembling (manuals for new employees and trainings, projects for marketing department, other special projects in the office) ETC. (provide your idea to the volunteer coordinator) VOLUNTEERS help us fulfill the mission, adding that spark to life that comes from gifts of the heart at a time that is very precious to patients and their families. Youth/Student Benefits Opportunity to share their unique talents individually or in groups. Giving builds self-esteem and reinforces values for family and community living. Learn about a service in their community that may someday be needed by their family. Earn service hours. Earn badges, pins, certificates, etc. Youth/Student Volunteers for TIP Hospice   Each volunteer participates in a brief and simple explanation of Hospice either individually or in a group. The TIP Hospice Coordinator will provide this information to the leader. The orientation is documented on a TIP Hospice form and returned to the TIP Hospice Volunteer Coordinator in the provided self-addressed and stamped envelop.   Each individual or group completes a very easy volunteer activities sheet (date, activity, names of participants, time devoted to the activity). This completed sheet is returned to the TIP Hospice Volunteer Coordinator in the provided self-addressed and stamped envelop.   Individuals or leaders work with the TIP Hospice Volunteer Coordinator to plan and implement their projects.   Participants in activities that involve being in the presence of patients or on their property will be provided more information that includes confidentiality, some interaction/communication tips, and respectful conduct. TIP Hospice Mission To provide a program of care which responds to the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs of terminally ill patients and their families. TIP Hospice Philosophy TIP Hospice affirms life and regards death as a normal process. Emphasis is place on allowing an individual approaching the end of life to maintain personal dignity, comfort, and to remain in the care of loved ones in a familiar environment. Youth/Student Volunteers for TIP Hospice Make a tape(s) or CD(s) of your singing or playing music; or read and record a story on tape(s) or CD(s) for the patients Write a poem or story to share with our patients/families Rake leaves in late fall-November. This could be part of Hospice Month Activities. Christmas Caroling - individual homes or nursing homes in which our patient's reside Spring Yard Clean-up; or planting a small area or flower pot Visiting-possibly older teens and as a pair; would need more training/preparation time and close supervision. ETC. (provide your idea to the volunteer coordinator) Volunteer Days in 2007 that may be helpful in your planning: Celebrating National Volunteer Week in April 15-21, 2007 National & Global Youth Service Day, April 20-22, 2007 National Join Hands Day, May 5, 2007 World Hospice Day-October 6, 2007 National Make a difference day, Oct. 27, 2007 International Volunteer Managers Day, Nov. 1, 2007 National Family Volunteer Day is Nov. 17, 2007 Hospice Month is November International Volunteer Day is Dec. 5th each year

Hospice Volunteer Application