Creating Healthy Boundaries Part 2

I Know I’m Exceeding My Boundaries When…

• I become stressed over the situation.

• I can’t get the patient out of my mind.

• I feel like I want to control the situation.

• I begin talking to others outside of hospice about my patient and/or family.

• I feel like the patient or caregiver can’t make it without my assistance.

     • I begin changing personal   

        obligations to benefit

        patient/family needs.

    

 • I begin sharing personal problems/concerns with the patient/family.

AND

When volunteering with a patient/family becomes all consuming!

Other Boundary

Violations

• Inappropriate displays of emotions or

  physical contact.

• Pressure to maintain personal

  relationship after professional one ends.

• Desire to change ones beliefs to fit the patient/family.

• Doing personal favors outside of the plan of care.

• Giving or soliciting of funds.

• Disclosure of information regarding other members of the hospice team.

• Receiving expensive or inappropriate gifts.

To Maintain Your Boundaries

Ask Yourself…

• Do I know my role and limits?

• Whose needs am I meeting?

• Am I giving clear messages?

• Do I know when to say “no”?

• Do I know when to say “yes”?

• What would other members of my hospice team say?

 

For Maintaining 

Professional Boundaries

• Ensure your care is focused solely on 

the patient and families’ health and 

well being.

• Ensuring that you are there only 

as a volunteer (not a friend, 

neighbor, relative, etc.)

• Maintaining a proper appointment and visit system.

• Getting help for yourself when you are in a crisis.

• Consulting with your Volunteer Coordinator about 

difficult situations.

• Refraining from over familiarity. 

What if I am Feeling
Overwhelmed?

• Be upfront and honest about your feelings.

• Never take on a task that you don’t feel you can 

commit to.

• Let us know if you feel uncomfortable.

• Ask for staff support

When To Let Go After The Death Of Your Patient

Bereavement services begin immediately after the death of our patients.  Phone calls, letters, support groups and home visits are offered to the patient’s caregiver or survivor.  It IS appropriate however for the volunteer to:

o Make a phone call to the family after the death.

o Make a home visit after the death.

o Attend the funeral OR watch over the house while the family attends the funeral and/or graveside services. 

    It should be understood at that point bereavement services will take over.

When you help, you see life as weak.

When you fix, you see life as broken.

When you serve, you see life as whole.

Fixing and helping may be work of the ego,

but serving is the work of the soul.

Rachel Naomi Remen

Medi Hospice Volunteers: Please refer to your "Creating Healthy Boundaries" Questions and Answer Sheet to complete your Mandatory Education requirement.