Tag: death

Hospice Volunteers of Waldo County

Bonnie Hellwege, Hospice Volunteer

Hospice Volunteers of Waldo Countyis an independent non-profit organization funded by the generous donations of our community. Our trained volunteers offer a plethora of services to patients and their families facing a life-limiting illness. We go to the patient, when permitted, whether they are home, in a hospital or a facility. We can stay with a patient giving the caregiver a break, visit regularly offering companionship and emotional support, run errands, read, write a letter, make calls, walk the dog. We do our utmost to meet the needs of the patient, caregiver, family and friends. Our volunteers all have special talents. Musicians, singers, artists, writers, chefs…an eclectic group of dedicated community members. We can also suggest educational resources and offer the use of our extensive lending library. 

Bereavement support has become a very important part of our function in the community. It is available to anyone who has suffered the loss of a loved one, whether they were in hospice care or not. We support folks who experience the death of a loved one through anticipated or sudden unexpected death. There is one-on-one volunteer support, support groups, and community bereavement. We go wherever there is a need, churches, organizations, homes, schools and online. There is also caregiver support for those meeting the 24/7 needs of their loved ones at home. Sometimes the grieving process starts with a diagnosis. 

Advance care plans serve to clarify individuals’ thinking about their end-of-life preferences, to promote conversations about those preferences with loved ones and medical care providers, and to direct care when individuals are not able to make choices for themselves. We have offered workshops on Advance Care Planning across Waldo County. We offer group explorations of the advance care planning process, often in a two-part workshop format designed to support conversation within the group and make plenty of time for questions. We will tailor workshops to suit organizations and groups of individuals in Waldo County. 

Hospice Volunteers of Waldo County works closely with many of our local organizations, and our services are always at no cost. Our goal and desire is to combat the fear, anxiety, and struggles of this very difficult time for our neighbors. There is so much more that our volunteers have done, and do, than are presented here. For more information or questions, please don’t hesitate to call or visit our website. www.hospicevolunteersofwaldocounty.org

phone:  207-505-4434 or
email: Hvowc1@gmail.com