So, what’s entailed with being a volunteer caregiver?

Position Summary

The Volunteer Caregiver at Inhora provides compassionate comfort care to our guests. This role involves offering compassionate presence, comfort care, assistance with activities of daily living, support for loved ones, medication management for those who are trained, and after-death care. It also includes light housekeeping and assisting community partners when present in the home, including hospice and funeral home personnel.

Key Responsibilities

1.       Compassionate Presence

·         Compassionate presence is a kind of mindfulness (and even prayer) which is open to another person in their suffering while desiring their good.

·         Oftentimes the greatest thing you can do is to be present, reverent, and quiet.

·         To provide this requires practicing regular self-care before and after shifts.

2.     Comfort Care

·         Help guests with non-physical tasks such as reading, engaging in conversations, or assisting with recreational activities.

·         Respond to the needs and preferences of the guests.

·         Honor the senses and holistic experience of living the last weeks of earthly life.

·         Offer gentle, honest education about hospice, grief, and dying or defer to others on your team and available resources.

3.      Assistance with Activities of Daily Living

·         Help guests with daily activities such as grooming, feeding, changing soiled briefs, and personal hygiene to ensure their comfort and dignity.

·         Provide necessary support for mobility and positioning in bed only (no transfers to chairs or other surfaces) including changing their position every 2 hours unless actively dying.

4.     Support for Loved Ones

·         Provide emotional support and companionship to family members of our guests.

·         Assist with non-medical tasks and activities to help alleviate stress for families.

·         Maintain open and compassionate communication with family members, addressing their concerns and needs.

·         If unsure, defer to another team member – you’re not in this alone.

5.     After-Death Care

·         Work with your team and follow guidance regarding communication with the hospice and executive director when a guest dies.

·         Assist with after-death care, ensuring dignity and respect for the deceased.

·         Encourage loved ones to provide hands-on care if they are comfortable with it.

·         Support family members during this difficult time.

6.     Medication Management (if trained)

·         Receive medications from hospice personnel and return extra medications to them after the death of a guest.

·         Administer medications according to the hospice orders and Inhora policies & procedures.

·         Maintain accurate records of medication administration and report any concerns.

7.     Housecleaning

·         Perform light housekeeping tasks to maintain a clean and comfortable environment for guests and their families.

o   Tasks may include dusting, vacuuming, tidying common areas, and laundry.

·         Ensure that guest rooms and common areas are clean, organized, and welcoming.

·         A clean home contributes to the sense of it being a sacred space.

8.     Coordination with Community Partners

·         Assist hospice staff during their visits to ensure seamless care for guests.

·         Provide support to funeral home staff during their visits and the transfer of the Body.

·         Maintain clear, respectful, and welcoming communication with community partners.

9.     Documentation

·         Documentation at Inhora is for communicating important and helpful information that pertains to the care of our guests and their loved ones.

·         Document care provided to guests, including activities of daily living, medication administration, comfort measures, and observations – things that the next person on shift would want to know.

10.  Other Considerations

·         The guests at Inhora depend on volunteer caregivers 24/7 so please follow policies regarding calling off and arriving on time.

·         Volunteers pay for their own background check initially (~$25) then after 20 hours of service, reimbursement may be offered. Person’s with some legal records may not be allowed to volunteer or may be allowed but with restrictions.

·         It’s important to always maintain confidentiality and privacy of guests and their families.

·         Attend training sessions and meetings to stay informed and to become a better caregiver.