Patient & Family Ambassador
UnityPoint Hospice
Volunteers are essential to the compassionate and personalized care provided by UnityPoint Hospice.
As a Patient and Family Ambassador, you are simply a friend. You may read, play cards, write a letter, or just have a conversation. Patient and family volunteers typically give two to four hours a month. A visit with a patient typically lasts an hour.
Patient and Family Ambassadors also may provide respite. A respite visit allows caregivers time to take care of themselves. When providing respite services, the volunteer spends time with the patient according to a pre-determined schedule, to provide relief for the caregiver. These visits can last two to three hours at a time, once or twice a week. Schedules are often flexible, but some patients or families will require specific days and times, such as to go to a doctor or dentist appointment.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we ask volunteers to wear a mask and goggles when visiting a patient. Most nursing homes have restricted visitors, so our volunteers generally visit only those patients still living in private homes. However, we do operate an inpatient unit in which volunteers put in two-hour shifts. We offer additional training in use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other virus mitigation.
About UnityPoint Hospice
Location:
290 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE, Suite 100, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402, US
Mission Statement
The mission of UnityPoint Hospice is to give the healthcare we'd like our loved ones to receive. Our vision is to be the the hospice of choice for end-of-life care. We will partner with patients and families throughout their journey honoring individual choices.
Description
Every day we strive to create a comforting and caring atmosphere supportive to living life to the fullest for as long as life lasts. We believe everyone deserves quality end-of-life care surrounded by their loved ones. UnityPoint Hospice in Cedar Rapids is founded on the premise the patient and family are given the ability to choose the care options that will bring dignity, hope and comfort to the remainder of the patient's life. This individualized patient- and family-centered care is provided to eastern Iowans within a 50-mile radius of Cedar Rapids. Hospice charges Medicare and private insurance and provides free hospice care to patients when services are not covered. We believe in treating the whole person - not just the illness. Patients receive ongoing assessment, support and coordination to help them pursue the goal of quality living. Families are also given the support and resources they need to work through their challenges and grief.