Holy Redeemer Hospice Seeks Volunteers in Mercer County

Holy Redeemer Hospice is sponsoring a series of volunteer training sessions in Mercer County, NJ, beginning in early February. The full program consists of eight 2.5 hour training sessions that will be held in two locations:

The day program will be held Mondays from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., beginning February 6, 2017, and continuing until March 27, 2017. The sessions will be held at Holy Redeemer Hospice, 171 Jersey Street, Trenton, NJ 08611.

The evening program will be held Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., beginning February 2, 2017 and continuing until March 23, 2017. These sessions will be held at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 350 White Horse Avenue, Hamilton NJ 08610.

Seating is limited. Prospective volunteers are encouraged to contact Holy Redeemer Hospice to register and to obtain an Introductory Packet by calling (609) 815-3573 or by emailing Holy Redeemer Hospice Volunteer Coordinator Spiros Ballas at: SBallas@holyredeemer.com

Hospice Volunteers help in three main ways:

• Respite Support: Staying with a patient to give a caregiver a brief respite
• Companionship Visits: Visiting those who need some attention, either because they have no one else, or they are frightened and are comforted by having others around

• Vigil Volunteering: Being present with a patient who is actively dying, so they are not alone

Volunteers may also be called upon to assist hospice patients and their families with grocery shopping and other tasks, says Ballas.

In addition, individuals who are trained in massage, healing touch or music therapy, or who have certified therapy pet are also invited to share their gifts with hospice families.