More than eighty-five carefully trained men and women serve Blue Hill and the peninsula, Ellsworth / Downeast, Bucksport and Mount Desert Island as community hospice volunteers. Volunteers primarily offer emotional support, companionship and respite care so family members can rest. Volunteers may also provide light meals, transportation and errands when needed. Volunteers receive 30 hours of training, and are required to augment that training each year.


Sara Hayman, former Program Director, shares some time with the Hospice of
Hancock County male volunteers.

     A number of hospice volunteers have completed an advanced AIDS caregiving training program. Bereavement facilitators receive an additional 12 to 24 hours of bereavement training. Office volunteers are needed for mailings, to answer telephones, and for other general office duties.

     Skilled care providers, staff members, bereavement facilitators, and active volunteers present the hospice training. Classes include a thorough grounding in hospice philosophy, recognition of individual feelings and history of facing loss, communication and listening skills, the physical, emotional and spiritual manifestation of the process and bereavement, practical bedside comfort training, standard precautions, therapeutic touch and an orientation to community services and team care. The following is an outline of additional topics covered during the 8-week training course:

  • Hospice Philosophy and Care
  • Spiritual and Cultural Perspectives of Death and Dying
  • The Caregivers Journey with the Dying Person
  • Understanding the Dying Process
  • Interaction with the Hospice Team, Individuals and Families
  • Hospice Caregiving; Illness and Ethics
  • Caregiving Considerations for Volunteers
  • End of Life Business: Funeral Support Systems


Registration and interview are required. Call 667-2531.

A new series of support groups will be offered in spring 2008. Please check back on this page in early spring, or call the Hospice of Hancock County office at 667-2531 for more information.
Registration and interview are required. Call 667-2531.

  • Widows & Widowers Group

  • Parents Who Have Lost Children Group

  • Adults Who Have Lost A Parent Or Sibling Group

  • Suicide Survivors Group

 
Retired Executive Director, Barbara Clark, in black sweater, middle row, poses with
the Spring, 2006 volunteer training class.
 

Bereavement Facilitator Volunteer Training
 The 9 week Bereavement Facilitators Training is offered twice yearly in the spring and fall. Meeting once per week, time in training is approximately 30 hours. Please call for more information.
Tuesday  April 22 – June 17th
3:30 – 7:00 (9 Weeks)

Help others work through their grief by facilitating bereavement support groups.  Learn about the grieving process, a mind-body interaction, and promote emotional health.  Understand the wide variety of responses to loss.  Health care providers are welcome to attend.  Registration and interview are required.  Call 667-2531.  $35 registration fee. 

Program Offered at Hospice Of Hancock County

14 McKenzie Avenue, Ellsworth Maine 04605
Call 667-2531 to register.