There are several aspects of care and support that occur as people age and enter residential facilities. One of these areas that is particularly at the forefront is palliative (end of life) care.

To this end The Good Shepherd Home has made the decision to add specialised areas to the volunteering program.

Palliative care is an important aspect of a residents’ end of life transition. Support and acknowledgment through end of life is as important as the life the resident has lived and is a privilege for those who provide it.

In recognition of this very important aspect of resident care The Good Shepherd Home have taken the decision to commence a volunteer support program for residents at end of life. This role will be of benefit to the resident, their family and loved ones, pastoral services and the staff alike as well as external stakeholders who provide medical care, advice and clinical interventions to the resident.

For the volunteer it can provide a most rewarding choice. In saying this, the role will not be for everyone and will not be part of the expectation of any volunteer who chooses to support the residents of TGSH generally, nor will it be expected that once chosen by the volunteer they will remain within that role if it is no longer suitable to their volunteering choices.

Duties that may be required within this role include but are not limited to:

• Support the well-being of the resident, family and friends in collaboration with staff
• Be an impartial, and at times, a silent ear for the resident, family or other person
• Hand holding for reassurance, this may include in some instances, gentle massage
• Provide refreshments for families who are experiencing extended periods of residence within the Home
• Report to the Nursing staff any concerns, signs or symptoms that are observed
• Work proactively with the Chaplain
• Monitor all parties for changes in their grief response and report to the Nursing staff
• General support of all parties as the residents’ condition deteriorates
• Liaise with staff to maintain a peaceful ambiance including that the room is generally tidy, diffusers loaded and palliative boxes stocked.

The above list is in no way exhaustive, nor does it mean each one of these tasks will occur at every attendance.

This role will differ only slightly from the general duties of the Volunteer role and will come with training specifically related to the role as an inclusion of the application and orientation phase.

All Volunteers are required at minimum to:

• Be compassionate, confidential and empathetic during the support of the residents and their family and friends
• Have a confidential, impartial listening ear
• Have significant life experience to support sharing stories of the residents’ past, and expectations for the future, as they enter and settle into this phase of residential care
• Be non-judgmental, understanding and accepting of other people’s beliefs, culture and values
• Be able to work within a team while providing support and encouragement to the resident, their family and friends and at times staff
• Comply with directions from the Nursing staff particularly as they relate to infection control, including PPE and remembering to wash hands before and after each activity
• Display emotional maturity while recognising the residents' preferred communication style
• Generally have a good sense of humour that is adaptable to the psychological support of the resident, family, friends and staff
• Be the residents’ day and all that is good about it.

With all of the above in mind we encourage you to consider the role of palliative support.