Hospice volunteering

6fsn

I've been looking for a way for 6let and I to volunteer a couple of hours a week.  I think it will be all around good for everyone, but I obviously need something that will accomodate the kid.

A local suggested volunteering with hospice.  That a kid will often times lift spirits and give hope or just plain distract people.  When I think hospice I think doom and gloom and pain and tears.  I'm not sure I can handle that.  Yes, I know that sounds selfish, but I'm being honest.  I do always hear that it is a wonderful organization. 

So, does anyone have any experience with hospice?  As a volunteer or otherwise?  Any thoughts pro or con?

Heffalump

I don't have any experience volunteering with hospice, but I know that when DH's grandmother was there, it really wasn't doom and gloom and pain and tears. She was groggy (pain meds) but peaceful, the family was calm and pretty accepting, and the nurses were really impressive--very compassionate and upbeat, despite everything.

Butter Cookie

Our officiant volunteers at hospice. I think it would be a great thing to do, for you, for 6let, and for the people in hospice.

Mrs.Thistletwat

My friend is a hospice social worker. While it's hard to do, she finds it very rewarding to help people with this final step. That being said, I think that having a distraction like 6let would be awesome for people who are either families of someone dying or the person dying.

eml569

I did 2 Spring Break trips from MO to Philadelphia with a group to volunteer in a hospice. It was actually an AIDS hospice, but they accepted all illnesses. It was such an amazing place - a huge house with a great staff. I learned so much about myself by working there and left at the end of both weeks feeling like I had helped a little. You'll learn a lot from the staff too. People who do hospice work aren't doing it because it's fun, it's hard work and really rewarding - those nurses are definitely called to their job. I think it would be a great thing for you and the LO, and for the patients to see him.

**Stinky!**

H's grandma was under hospice care for the last 18 months of her life, and our whole family absolutely LOVES all her volunteers. It definitely wasn't gloom & doom (mostly because of Grandma's rosey outlook). The volunteers would take her out to lunch, take her to get her nails done, they'd come over and throw a "party" for her, they had a lot of fun. And we all appreciated the work they did so much.

That said, it does take a special person to volunteer, knowing that the people you're visiting might not be around the next time you volunteer. If you don't know if you could handle it, you might not want to do it. These people know they're dying, and if someone comes in who seems uncomfortable, scared, or uncertain, it might not work. Your purpose is to make these people feel good and hopefully forget about their problems for awhile. If you think you can do that (and I think 6let would be amazing for the patients), then go for it. Good for you!

6fsn

You guys are making me want to call today to volunteer, but it's such a big decision I still need to think.

My ex-boss sits on the hospice board.  I'm sure he could give me some good insight too.  Since I worked for him for so long he has a good idea of my personality.

awesome-sauce

Everyone had some great input, so all I wanted to add is that while it's great for you to volunteer, you are also instilling some great values into 6let.

Kudos to you!

6fsn

Awesome- that was another reason I want to volunteer so badly.  I grew up doing it and wanted to do the same for the kid.  It was too much to be regular about it while I was working, but I miss it. 

If hospice doesn't pan out, I'm going to try the church next.