Northern Arizona Hospice has announced the dates for its spring 2011 Volunteer Training Series. The series will be presented in four-hour segments and teaches volunteers the basics of hospice services. All 16 hours of training must be completed to become a volunteer with Northern Arizona Hospice. The training sessions are scheduled for Saturday, April 30 from 8 a.m. to noon; Sunday, May 1 from 1 to 5 p.m.; Saturday, May 7 from 8 a.m.to noon; and Monday, May 9 from 1 to 5 p.m. All sessions are held in Conference Room C at Verde Valley Medical Center, 269 S. Candy Lane, Cottonwood.

Those interested in becoming a hospice volunteer must attend a pre-training informational interview. To schedule an interview time or for more information, call Northern Arizona Hospice at 928 639-6676.

Additional training and educational opportunities will be scheduled based on what role volunteers would like to take. At this time, there is a significant need for hospice volunteers in the Cottonwood and Camp Verde areas, as well as individuals interested in fundraising activities.

Hospice volunteers work directly with patients and their caregivers. Activities are dependent on the needs and capabilities of the patient, as well as the needs of the caregiver. Some patients are looking for someone to visit with, while others need simple meal preparation or errands carried out. Frequently, a primary caregiver requests a volunteer to stay with their loved one while they get some rest or take care of errands themselves. In all cases, volunteers act as a good friend, sharing their talents and skills with the most grateful recipients. Volunteers are valued members of the Northern Arizona Hospice team. Their insights and experiences are shared at team conferences, and help to improve the patient’s quality of life. 

In addition to completing the training program, graduates are asked to make a commitment to serve as a Hospice volunteer for at least one year. The rewards of service are so great, that most continue for much longer. Rosemary Schmid has been a Northern Arizona Hospice volunteer for more than 26 years, and several other volunteers including Dave Hill and Dee Suhr have served for more than a decade. Universally, volunteers report that they receive more than they give.

Northern Arizona Hospice was founded in 1984. It is a division of Northern Arizona Healthcare, and an affiliate of Verde Valley Medical Center.

For more information about the Hospice Volunteer program, to learn more about Northern Arizona Hospice or to make a donation, please call 928 639-6676 or visit NorthernArizonaHospice.com.