About Interim Hospice

Interim Healthcare and Hospice provides an individualized program of physical, emotional, spiritual and practical care for people in the last phases of a life-limiting illness, with an emphasis on control of pain and other symptoms.  Interim Healthcare and Hospice team consist of physicians, nurses, social workers, homemakers, hospice aides, volunteers, spirit counselors, bereavement counselors and others. Hospice care is centered on both the patient and family/caregiver.

Volunteer Program

Volunteers provide companionship to a person in the final months or weeks of life, offering support to family members and caregivers, providing assistance in the office or helping with community outreach, the contributions of volunteers are an essential part of Interim Healthcare Hospice. Volunteer activities consist of:

·         Support For Patients - Visiting and companionship - Reading and taking walks - Writing letters - Visiting with pets - Bringing in music - Vigil Sitting

·         Support For Families - Respite sitting - Shopping and errands - Meal preparation - Light housekeeping

·         Bereavement Support - Participation in memorial service - assist with support groups - Visit widows

·         Office work - Assist with mailings - Computer data entry -  Administrative duties

Volunteer Education

Hospice volunteers go through extensive training that teaches them the history of hospice, the goals and philosophy of care, emergency procedures and what to expect during the stages of death.

Hospice volunteer education covers:

·         Philosophy of hospice care

·         Services offered by hospice

·         Physical, emotional, social, and spiritual issues encountered at the end of life

·         Effective communication when speaking with patients and family members

·         Comfort for patients and families

·         Health Information Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)

·         Patient Rights

·         Reporting Abuse

·         Integrity and Compliance