By Janice Miller, Guest Blogger
Janice Miller lives in Arizona and has always been an advocate for ensuring safety. It started just in the community, in a physical neighborhood but the more she engaged herself online she has found that there is a need to ensure safety on the Interweb as well.
I am interested in volunteering. How do I learn more about hospice volunteering opportunities? What training do volunteers need?
When you lose someone you love,
you experience a whirlwind of emotions and feelings. According to Psych
Central, working through the stages
of grief is different for every person. This can be especially difficult when
you’re experiencing loss while living far away from everyone else. There are
many ways you can still cope with the loss and participate in the ceremony.
Here are some that might work for you.
1. Participate in the ceremony
however you can
You
can do a multitude of things: send flowers, donate to a charity, or even have
someone film the memorial service and send it to you. Some people also find
that creating a crowdfunding
source for donations can help offset funeral expenses. Given that funerals
often cost thousands of dollars, this can be a very effective way to
participate even when you aren’t present.
2. Connect with family in multiple
ways
During
a time of loss, it’s important to strengthen relationships however you can.
Some articles
suggest writing a card and sending it to family members or friends who will be
there. You can express positive memories you have of the person and offer
condolences. You can also chat with family over video or the phone as a way of
being a part of things. Send emails and texts often to stay in frequent touch.
3. Take care of yourself
Make
sure you’re taking good
care of yourself. Take care of your emotional and physical health by
eating healthy, and avoid overindulging yourself. You should also be exercising
regularly and getting enough sleep. Reading a good book can help you get your
mind off things. Writing in a journal and silencing your inner critic can help
you manage your own grief
when you have to do it from a distance.
4. Reach out to loved ones locally
One
article
from the Mayo Clinic mentions that bringing in people close to you and
appreciating their companionship can help you emotionally. Find friends who
will listen well. You can discuss difficult feelings you might have and find an
extended support network.
5. Talk about it
Many
people find that when they are trying to work through grief, they become stuck.
Simply expressing feelings to people who are close to you can give an important
outlet for emotional processing. If you are unable to attend the funeral, reach
out to your loved ones afterward to make sure they’re doing okay. Don’t be shy
about bringing it up with friends and other acquaintances, since this can be a
learning and growing experience for everyone.
6. Consider therapy
Therapy
comes in all shapes and sizes. While there is the traditional talk therapy,
there are other kinds that can be well-suited for your personality. New therapy
modules
have been developed to specifically help with some cases of extreme grief that
accompanies the loss of a loved one. If one type of therapy isn’t helping you
feel better, try out other kinds. Often, your relationship with your therapist
can impact your recovery process, so don’t be afraid to branch out.
7. Stay productive
While
it’s
important to relax, staying stagnant can sometimes bring unwanted
thoughts inside. Grief can be very demanding. Some effective ways to give grief
a break involve working on a new project or trying out a new hobby. This
doesn’t mean you should push away your feelings. You should still acknowledge
them without judgment and deal with the pain as it comes. However, looking
forward to something new can help you move through grief more smoothly.
Bereavement-related depression
is a reaction that occurs frequently after the loss of a loved one. It’s
important to take care of yourself and reach out to loved ones and family even
after the funeral. It will help you continue to find meaning and joy.
Janice Miller lives in Arizona and has always been an advocate for ensuring safety. It started just in the community, in a physical neighborhood but the more she engaged herself online she has found that there is a need to ensure safety on the Interweb as well.
If you have a story to share about experience with hospice or about issues surrounding death and dying, please contact me via comment on this blog or at
kerobinson@msa-corp.com
I am interested in volunteering. How do I learn more about hospice volunteering opportunities? What training do volunteers need?
Volunteers are an integral part of the interdisciplinary team approach to hospice care. They join RN's, CNA's, Chaplains, Social Workers, and physicians in caring for patients.
.
Some of the things a Medi Hospice volunteer might assist with include:
· Reading from a favorite book or the Bible.
· Watch over the patient while the primary caretaker takes a break or runs errands.
· Listen to stories and memories that are meaningful to the patient.
· Support for an overwhelmed caretaker by listening without judgment.
· Visit patients with certified animals to offer pet therapy.
Hospice volunteers are very unique individuals who have a deep sense of compassion for those who are terminally ill. They give selflessly to our patients. They hold a hand that is in need of gentle touch. They read a book that tired eyes cannot see. They sit at the bedside bringing a smile and a quiet presence to one who needs both. When there is soup to heat the volunteer prepares; when there is fresh air to breath the volunteer escorts the patient to the window or porch; when the day calls for a joke or poem the hospice volunteer complies.
Volunteering in hospice is a choice that creates rewards for patients and families. The ultimate surprise is the growth a volunteer develops from learning more about themselves with every visit to their patient. You learn to communicate in ways that increase your own appreciation of life. Your views of daily situations take on a holistic perspective. Nothing will ever be the same in your personal or professional life if you are correctly trained as a hospice volunteer.
- Must be 18 or over to volunteer.
- Weekend and evening hours are available.
- Maximum requirement is two to four hour per week.
- Training provided.
- Locations will vary.
- Personal transportation required.
So would you consider joining others on their last journey?
We are actively growing our hospice volunteer program and we would like you to know that if you have a desire to become involving in making a difference in the lives of the dying we will give you that opportunity! Medi Hospice offices are located in Fredericksburg & Manassas Virginia. We serve patients in Northern Virginia as well as the surrounding counties of Fredericksburg. We have a Volunteer Coordinator who will meet and discuss with you our volunteer opportunities. Should you desire to join our team call during normal business hours and ask for the Volunteer Coordinator.
For volunteer opportunities in the
Fredericksburg area or Northern Virginia
Call Medi Hospice Volunteer Coordinator
email kerobinson@msa-corp.com or
call 703-392-7100