TCH Newsroom
Contact: Rodney Foushee
Public Relations & Marketing Manager
(828) 883-5435
Transylvania Community Hospital to Hold Hospice Volunteer Training
BREVARD, N.C., Jan. 21, 2008—Transylvania Community Hospital is looking for caring hospice volunteers to provide companionship and encouragement for people with terminal illnesses.
“There are no prerequisites to be a hospice volunteer other than having a caring heart,” said Liz Cozart, TCH’s Hospice Program volunteer coordinator. “For many of our volunteers, there are few things more rewarding than offering their time and energy to help terminally ill patients and their families.”
Hospice volunteer training classes begin on Feb. 21 at 9 a.m. at the TCH Home Care office on Asheville Highway, next to GO Grocery, in Brevard. The free eight-week course offers information, skills and insights needed to be a hospice volunteer. Classes cover emotional and spiritual concerns, communication skills, medical conditions and symptom management, bereavement follow-up, death and dying awareness, and healthy volunteering. Each class in the 24-hour course will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on consecutive Thursdays through April 10.
An informational meeting will be held on Feb. 14 at 9:30 a.m. at the Home Care office to explain the role of a hospice volunteer and provide details about the classes.
Hospice volunteers provide support to patients and their families through in-home visits, by providing respite for caregivers, by helping families with errands and other tasks, as well as assisting in bereavement. “This is a great opportunity to provide a valuable service to the community and be part of a dynamic and dedicated team,” Cozart said.
To sign up for hospice training or for more information, call Cozart at 883-5254.
About Transylvania Community Hospital
Celebrating its 75th year, Transylvania Community Hospital is a nationally ranked 5-Star Hospital and a leading provider of quality healthcare services in Transylvania and surrounding counties. Based in Brevard, N.C., it is a not-for-profit community hospital founded in 1933 and is the largest employer in Transylvania County.