University of Wisconsion - Eau Claire

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Proposal

Heartland Hospice Volunteering - Eau Claire

30 hours

Community partner: cathy barkovich
Supervisor: Cathy Barkovich
Beginning date:
2024-01-12
Ending Date:
2026-01-01

Service-Learning Proposal Description

1.

Briefly describe the project and the community need to be addressed.

Answer At Heartland Hospice (Gentiva) we depend on hospice volunteers to help us provide the love, respect and care to our patients and families in need. The hospice volunteer is part of a team approach. The primary goal of a hospice volunteer is to provide empathy and companionship to both the patient and their loved ones during difficult times. We invite you to join our team as a hospice volunteer. Hospice is a special kind of care designed to provide comfort care, as well as spiritual and emotional support for terminally ill patients. Hospice focuses on enhancing the quality of life, rather than the length of life. It neither hastens nor postpones death; it affirms life and acknowledges dying as a normal process.

2.

What is the mission of the agency or organization?

Answer Our mission is to provide exceptional care with empathy for our patients and their families so they may live with comfort, dignity and respect

3.

What skills are required for this project? 

Answer Communication skills, especially listening, An understanding of own feelings regarding death and dying (however direct experience with death and dying is not necessary), flexibility, reliability, initiative, compassion, observation skills, patience, cultural awareness, emotional and physical strength.

4.

What are the objectives for the student learning and service?

Answer Objectives: 1.Relates the volunteer's roles and responsibilities to that of the entire hospice system. 2.Understands the hospice philosophy and demonstrates required skills to volunteer in the program 3. Completes and verbalizes knowledge of hospice volunteer educational material. 4. Completes and submits timely documentation 5.Communicates effectively with patients, families and other health care providers to promote customer satisfaction.

5.

What are the availability requirements for the student?

Answer Provides own transportation. Has time in their schedule to honor their commitment and provide services on a regular basis. The amount of time may vary but most volunteer visits are 2-4x a month. Minimum time for visit is 30 minutes.

6.

Additional information (not required).

Answer Examples of volunteer activities: Running errands for patient and family. Staying with patient so family member can get a short rest. Reading, Playing Music/Games, Singing, Watching TV, Talking, Taking patient outside if weather permits. Helping with office support tasks at the agency. Gaining real-world work experience through volunteering is a great way to build skills, increase employability and enjoy a range of benefits. How does volunteering help you as a student? 1. Meet new people. Volunteering provides social interaction and is proven to improve brain function, increase mental health and life expectancy. 2. Develop confidence and communication skills. These traits are part of leaderships skills and can be a natural side effect of volunteerism. 3. Give back to the community. At its most, volunteering is about using your passion to give back to those in need and contributing to community resources. 4. Achieve a balance. Volunteering is another way to reduce stress and find a healthy balance away from the books. 5. Discover new places. 6. Have fun. It is a chance to get away from the daily grind and meet new people, new skills, and gain a sense of accomplishment and pride. 7. Test out a career. 8. Stand out from the crowd. Employers will look very favorably on student’s volunteer work experience as it gives insight into the type of person a student is away from work and school. They can add to their CV or LinkedIn.
Center for Service-Learning • Old Library 2100 • University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire • Eau Claire WI 54702-4004
A Unit of: Advising, Retention + Career Center
Phone: 715-836-4649 • Fax: 715-836-4023
Questions/Comments: srvlearn@uwec.edu
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