Hospice Program Volunteers Needed at Little Company of Mary Hospital

EVERGREEN PARK, IL -- Hospice volunteers make a huge difference in someone's life merely by being present. Little Company of Mary Hospital invites community members to volunteer for its hospice program.

The Hospice Program at LCMH provides compassionate care to patients with a terminal diagnosis. Patients are cared for in their homes surrounded by the people who love them. Hospice volunteers are trained and supervised and can work in the patient’s home, the nursing home or in the hospice office where they provide administrative support to the
hospice team.

The core of the Little Company of Mary Sisters’ mission has always been to the care of the sick and dying. LCMH was one of the first hospitals to offer hospice care to the southwest Chicago community in 1976. The program provides spiritual, medical, emotional and social support to those in the final stages of life – and their families.

Ann Putlak, R.N., Resource Nurse at LCMH Hospice said the program’s main goal is to help patients find comfort and peace in their final days.

“The volunteer plays an important role in our ministry to the dying,” Putlak said in a news release. “They listen, reminisce and reassure the patient through caring touch and kind words. The volunteer also provides support to the family, allowing them to run errands or to take a break from 24-hour caregiving.”

Training will take place on Oct. 15 and Oct. 22 (both Saturdays) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Little Company of Mary Hospital in room WP8500 (West Pavilion, 8th Floor), located at 2800 West 95th in Evergreen Park. Attendance is required at both sessions. Please note that reservation for these training sessions is required.

“Hospice volunteers are full of love, compassion and patience,” Putlak said. “They have such a strong desire to be there for the hospice patient, especially at such an important time in their lives.”

If you are interested in becoming a hospice volunteer, please call Ann Putlak at 708-229-6901. To learn more information about Little Company of Mary’s Hospice Program, call 708-229-HOME (4663).