Contributed by Sarah Imme, Ancora Home Health & Hospice
Volunteer For Hospice Open House
10/25/2019 – 5:30PM
Ancora Home Health & Hospice
2851 E Palmer-Wasilla Hwy. Ste. #7-#8
FREE Event
“How’s Jack doing?” you ask your friend.
Slowly and very quietly, as if she’s about to share something you’re not allowed to say out loud, she whispers back, “You haven’t heard? He’s on Hospice.”
The truth is, the word Hospice itself is still very much associated with stigma and surrounded by misconceptions, despite having formally been around for 40+ years. The problem this creates is that not enough people understand the benefits that are possible by having the service.
Let’s set things straight here:
Hospice is about living.
To each person, that may mean something different. It may be that you don’t want to continue to feel awful, going to treatments and appointments that aren’t making things better for you. It may mean that you just want to be comfortable, at home, with your loved ones. It may mean that you and your caregivers need help because you’re tired, stressed and could really use more oversight and care. For many, they just want to be in control.
Ancora Hospice services include a holistic approach to meet your physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs for patients and families who are facing a life-limiting disease. Our team is patient and family centered and includes oversight by our Medical Director and an RN case manager who is available 24/7 should a need arise. We also offer Medical Social Workers and Certified Nursing Assistants who are available to provide assistance with resources and personal care.
In addition to clinical services, Hospice offers both volunteer and chaplain/bereavement programs. Just as it takes a special person to care for those on Hospice, it also takes a special person to be a volunteer. Not only does volunteering benefit the patient and their family/caregivers, but it is also highly fulfilling for the person offering their time, energy and support.
Oftentimes people ask what volunteers do, but truly that depends on the individual person and what their strengths and comforts are. Each volunteer can pull from their past experiences, skill sets, hobbies and interests. Some even combine their interests with those of the patient to ensure that each experience is a personal one. Others prefer to assist with office-based tasks, but all time is equally important, valued and appreciated.
If you’re interested in learning more about volunteering with Hospice, Ancora is hosting an Open House on Friday, October 25th, from 5:30pm-7:30pm. The event will be held at our Valley office, located at 2851 E Palmer-Wasilla Hwy, Suite 7, Wasilla. As we continue to grow and expand, our need for volunteers across all genders, cultures and locations has never been greater. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please reach out to our volunteer coordinator at 352.4848. You never know what kind of impact volunteering may have, both for yourself and others. We hope to see you there!
NOTE: The attached image “Dan-Dan The Mountain Man” was created by art-therapist and Hospice volunteer, Sandra Falkner-Chandler, for a Hospice patient and his family.
