Care for the Caregiver

Save to Favorites

CARE for the CAREGIVER

Being the caregiver for a family member or friend in hospice is a commitment of love and loyalty. Many times, a caregiver hesitates to leave a loved one to run a simple errand, such as grocery shopping, or take time for much needed self-care, like getting a haircut. But you can change that!

When you care for the caregiver , you give the caregiver the essential gift of "me time!" Providing them with the opportunity for a few hours of respite helps them rejuvenate, reconnect, and reinforce their purpose as a caregiver.

In turn, you get to share experiences with a Uni Care Hospice patient who might want to tell their life story or reminisce (you can film them doing that or take their photograph), engage in their favorite hobby -- anything they enjoy from puzzle building, crafting, making music, reading, writing, or simply sitting with them during a mealtime, joining them for a walk in the fresh air, or holding their hand.

Supervising Staff: Samantha Campolong , Volunteer Coordinator

Time Commitment:

• This is an ongoing (6+ month), weekly or bi-weekly commitment.
• One shift per week, multiple shifts per week, or bi-weekly shifts per month (twice per month).
• Two to three-hour shifts.

Shift Times:

• Varies depending on the caregiver and your availability.
• When matching you to a caregiver and patient, volunteer services staff will take into consideration schedules, interests, patient needs, and any spiritual/religious connection.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide respite for a hospice patient’s caregiver by supporting and engaging with the patient while giving the caregiver a break.
• Be creative and open to learning.
• Listen and observe attentively to get to know the patient.
• Share mutual interests, conversation, or mealtime with patient.
• Collaborate with hospice staff and interdisciplinary team for training, mentoring, and to provide continuity of service to the patient and caregiver.
• Practice and promote safety (patient and caregiver, personal, environmental) while performing job duties.
• Skilled at working independently.
• Respectful of patient’s residence, surroundings, and personal property.
• Follow confidentiality requirements including HIPAA standards.
• Document visit details accurately and within 24 hours using HospiceMD.

Qualifications:

• Commit to the time for orientation and the onboarding process.
• Pass background check.
• Reliable and prompt.
• Ability to move freely and able to lift 25 lbs (accommodations made for those who cannot lift).
• Valid CA driver’s license and clean DMV driving record.
• Proof of automobile insurance.
• Demonstrate poise, tact, diplomacy, patience, and empathy when working with anyone you come in contact with while volunteering.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to easily work with a diverse population.
• Work within boundaries and best practices.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including vocabulary, grammar and spelling.
• Self-starter able to work with minimal supervision, and as an integral team member.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple, competing tasks and requests.
• Comfortable with computer applications (e.g., MS Office; Internet searches).

Training and Support:

• Volunteer Services provides hospice-focused orientation/onboarding, training, and continued in-service training.
• Ongoing oversight from supervising staff to provide direction, training and feedback on specific program and department activities, procedures, priorities, performance, and updates.
• HospiceMD: Software program to record your volunteer activity.

Screening Requirements:

• Interview with volunteer coordinator.

• Background check.

• Fulfill orientation and onboarding.

Benefits:

• Engage with and impact your community in a hopeful way, to make a difference.
• See the positive results of your contribution of time and talents.
• Productive way to utilize your free time.
• Resume building experience and networking opportunities.

For more information please contact:

Samantha Campolong, Volunteer Coordinator

(760) 760-710-7861 (Call or Text)

volunteer.coordinator.sd@unicare247.com