Hospice Service Activities for Students

[Frances Shani Parker]

A former school principal, I am a hospice volunteer who has witnessed the many rewards of intergenerational and other service activities involving schools, nursing homes, and hospice organizations. All participants benefited from the experiences. The following student activities, which may overlap, should be performed under the supervision of a teacher or coordinator after partners plan together and agree on needs to be met. These are some ideas, compiled by volunteer coordinators and myself, that you might want to consider. Your additional ideas are welcome. Elementary and Middle School Students 
 
 1. Make biographical booklets of patients’ lives. 2. Make greeting cards and/or placemats for holidays. 3. Make fleece comfort pillows or other items. 4. Bake holiday cookies or other treats for patients/families. 5. Make care packages such as decorated bags with bottled water, cookies, crackers, tissues, candy, and reading material for patients. 6. Visit nursing homes to socialize with residents, showcase school-related activities, sing songs, or play games (Wii, checkers, chess, bingo, etc.) with patients. 7. Exhibit school projects such as artwork, photographs, science projects, booklets, posters, seasonal displays, etc. High School and College Students 1. Do in-office work, including filing, faxing, and preparing admission packets. 2. Host tea parties, movies, and other social events at nursing homes. 3. Provide one-on-one time and attention by reading to, writing letters for, playing games with, or simply talking and listening to patients. 4. Videotape, record, or make booklets of patients’ life reviews. 5. Assist families with yard work, cleaning out the garage, planting flowers, small paint jobs, and home-building projects (i.e. wheelchair ramp). 6. Assist patients and families by doing errands, walking dogs, picking up groceries, etc. 7. If over age 16, train to become regular patient-care volunteers and take on a wide range of hospice volunteer opportunities, including music therapy, pet volunteer program, and general patient visits. This is a great time to give students hands-on experience in healthcare, especially if they are considering careers as a medical assistant, CNA, nurse, or doctor. Frances Shani Parker, Author "Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes” “Hospice and Nursing Homes Blog”

[MJ Schaumann]

Thank you for the suggestions. It is always a challange in how to include Elementary and Middle School Students in hospice. Laying the ground work for them to become intersted and eventually choosing to be a patient visitor volunteer, especially for nursing home patients. You have given me good ideas.

MJ Schaumann
Volunteer Coordinator
Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester

[Frances Shani Parker]

Thanks for responding, MJ Schaumann. It's important that school/nursing home/hospice partners work together, especially during the planning stages. There must be mutual agreement about needs to be met and how implementation will take place. Too often, those performing service assume they know others' needs. Those who want to receive service should do an annual needs assessment of what their needs are, so they can have a list available to discuss with those who want to give service. Suggestions not on the list can also be considered.

In addition, there should be ongoing recognition that ALL persons involved benefit from the service, not just those who are the outward recipients. This will happen if the service project is done well. Good luck in implementing your ideas. Contact me if you need any assistance.