Hospice Volunteer Training Scheduled

With the demand for hospice care increasing because hospitals are allowing more people to return home to deal with their life-threatening illnesses, Camarillo Hospice is seeking additional volunteers.

The hospice, which opened in 1978, provides support to those with life-threatening illnesses and to their families, as well as bereavement counseling.

Their services are provided primarily by trained volunteers who are supervised by a professional staff in nursing and counseling fields.

The volunteer training course begins Oct. 23 and will run every Monday and Thursday through Nov. 17 from 6 to 9 p.m.

Volunteers will learn about the history, philosophy and characteristics of hospice care, as well as develop practical skills regarding their role as volunteers.

Family dynamics in crisis situations, communication skills, cancer treatment and the hospice concept of pain and symptom management will also be covered.

The nonprofit program provides practical and emotional support but does not deal with hands-on nursing.

After training, the volunteers will spend between two and four hours a week with a family, providing respite care or counseling or running errands.

Although most of the clients are cancer patients, the program will provide care for anyone with a life-threatening illness.

The hospice program is funded through community-support grants, donations and fund-raisers and is run by 30 patient-care volunteers and about 65 auxiliary volunteers who assist with office work.

All services are free.

To volunteer or inquire about services, call 389-5897.

The volunteer training course will be held in Ventura at 1996 Eastman Ave., Suite 109.