11th Hour/Vigil Volunteer

Posted by Julie Cranz on April 15, 2009 at 12:14pm
Our Hospice is in the process of forming a position description and trying to decide what type of training to provide for a volunteer who wishes to serve in the capacity of an 11th Hour volunteer. Any thoughts or comments are appreciated.

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Replies

  • Judi Edens December 29, 2011 at 12:54pm

    Very nice having a harpist volunteer!  I am Judi Edens at Agape Hospice Care, Inc.  We have started a Pet Therapy Volunteer Program.  We have had a tremendous success with this type of volunteering!  We have cats and dogs and even a couple of horses and ponies!  It has been an awesome experience and blessing to our patients!  We also have a licensed masseuse who is very dedicated to our patients.  Also have a Yoga volunteer who teaches the patients to relax and proper breathing techniques.  It is nice sharing with everyone the different types of volunteers we all have.

  • Linda Daniels December 11, 2009 at 7:24am
    Thanks for sharing. You have a nice selection of musical volunteers, it is so nice you get so many people who are willing to share!Have a nice weekend.
  • Julie Cranz December 11, 2009 at 7:11am
    Actually we do have a harpist as a volunteer, but she mostly plays at our memorial services. We have a volunteer who does go into patient homes and plays a Q-chord and sings. We have a guitar player and a fiddle player who go into our nursing homes and plays music on Fridays once a month. We are looking for more musically talented volunteers to go into nursing homes weekly to play the piano to residents starting in 2010. Our staff, some board members, and some volunteers will be going caroling next week in the nursing facilities and assisted living facilities.
  • Linda Daniels December 11, 2009 at 7:04am
    Your job sounds exciting and very nice! Have you used live music harpists or other musicians for your patients? That is a wonderful experience for everyone. Do you have music therapy included there?
  • Julie Cranz December 11, 2009 at 6:52am
    I have been at Hospice of Western Kentucky in Owensboro, KY for 13 months as a Volunteer Coordinator. :-) We still have not gotten our 11th Hour program/job description written, but we have volunteers just waiting to help. Last week I visited Hospice Care Plus in Berea, KY. They have a new 11th Hour program and the VC there shared some of their process with me. They even have a box available for check-out that has a tape player, soothing music, a hymnal, a small water fountain, etc for 11th hour volunteers to use. But most importantly, I'm sure the presence and touch of a warm hand and heart makes the greatest impact as one makes the transition. Good luck to you!
  • Linda Daniels December 11, 2009 at 6:41am
    Hi Julie:
    I am happy you replied so fast! What hospice are you with? I appreciate sharing information and a new friend in the hospice field!
  • Linda Daniels December 11, 2009 at 6:34am
    Hi Julie:
    I have been trained in 11th hour Vigil also. It was wonderful, and I have sat vigil several times. I am a Volunteer Coordinator at Harbor Light Hospice, in Illinois. I just started here, and I hope to be able to train some volunteers for this wonderful end of life experience. I find sitting with patients at the end is spiritual and wonderful! Let me know if would like to share thoughts, experiences. my email is: ldaniels@harborlighthospice.com
    It has beenn months since you asked for replies, but I am new to this site.
    • Judi Edens > Linda Daniels December 29, 2011 at 12:51pm

      Hi everyone.  Please tell me about this training.  I would love to take this training.  How could I find out where and when a training session takes place?  I am the Volunteer Coordinator for Agape Hospice Care, Inc. in Carrollton, Georgia.  I also would like to attend a Volunteer Coordinator training program.  Thanks.

    • Julie Cranz > Linda Daniels December 11, 2009 at 6:37am
      Welcome! I hope you find this site helpful. The articles and forms are a great resource! Email me anytime as well.
      j.cranz@hospiceofwky.org
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