As a St. Charles Hospice volunteer, Rob Higley and his dog Captain Patches visit with hospice patients once or twice a week. It could be at an assisted living facility, a foster home or private residency. Higley might sit with a patient to hear stories, life lessons or final wishes.
“It’s great just to talk and share some laughs and take their mind off of the daily pain,” he said. “I did go and see my grandpa at the end of his life. And he said, ‘You know, Rob, we’re all here for a purpose.’ Part of me is just trying to find out what I’m here for and I’ve definitely found some of the reason I’m here is for the hospice patients. It’s just a unique opportunity to help people.”
Higley—along with hundreds of others throughout Central Oregon—contributes to the success of the St. Charles Hospice program.
“For some patients, the hospice team and volunteer might be the only outside people who they see regularly and it means a lot,” Higley said. “And, many times, you’re in a patient’s life and home to give an overwhelmed family member a much needed break.”
Depending on a patient’s needs and goals, a volunteer becomes a member of the interdisciplinary team, joining the registered nurse, social worker and chaplain in comfort care. Because the hospice philosophy and movement grew out of a volunteer-based program, the federal government requires that Medicare-approved hospices utilize volunteers.
“No task is too big or too small for a hospice volunteer, but the important thing is being open and available for the needs and goals of the patients and families,” said Hospice Volunteer Coordinator Lisa McGowan. And often volunteers offer specific skills or talents. “We have individuals who take family portraits, cut or style a patient’s hair in the home, notarize documents, and like Rob, offer a pet for comfort.”
Along with patient care, volunteer opportunities also include special projects, clerical support, medication deliveries, or helping with special events such as a December Light Up a Life memorial, the annual silent auction, Vintage Christmas in Prineville or ongoing bereavement support groups.
As St. Charles Hospice continues to expand, additional volunteers are always needed. Individuals who are interested in hospice are asked to attend a St. Charles volunteer orientation (offered the third Tuesday of each month at St. Charles Bend) and follow it with additional hospice training that is offered quarterly. The quarterly hospice training is offered Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons during the fourth week of October, January, April and July.
“When I see strength and courage of people at the end of life, it is so often a source of inspiration, and as a volunteer I gain far more than I am able to give,” Higley said.
For more information on volunteer opportunities with St. Charles Hospice and upcoming volunteer orientation and training sessions, please call Lisa McGowan at 541-706-7600.
About St. Charles Health System
St. Charles Health System, Inc., headquartered in Bend, Ore., owns and operates St. Charles Bend, Prineville, Madras and Redmond hospitals. It also owns family care clinics in Bend, Madras, Prineville, Redmond and Sisters. St. Charles is a private, not-for-profit Oregon corporation and is the largest employer in Central Oregon with more than 3,600 caregivers. In addition, there are more than 350 active medical staff members and nearly 200 visiting medical staff members who partner with the health system to provide a wide range of care and service to our communities.
