2008 Year in Review

Hospice of the Rock River Valley Honors Its Volunteers

April 27-May 3, 2008 is National Volunteer Week and organizations across the country are celebrating the contributions of dedicated volunteers who embody caring and help make life better for others. Hospice of the Rock River Valley is honoring hospice volunteers, who bring compassion and support to the lives of those facing a life-limiting illness.

Hospice volunteers are integral members of the dedicated teams of professionals who provide hospice and palliative care across our nation. Hospice volunteers bring companionship to people in the final months and weeks of life, respite to families and caregivers, and support in fundraising and administrative efforts by hospice organizations. “Volunteers are the foundation of Hospice,” Judy Jellerichs, volunteer coordinator, said. “As staff, we rely on them to assist us with everything from basic building maintenance to caring for our patients and families.”

According to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, approximately 400,000 people actively volunteer in the nation’s 4,100 hospice organizations annually, providing more than 16 million hours of service. Here in the Sauk Valley area, more than 400 volunteers provide more than 3,800 hours per year in service to Hospice of the Rock River Valley patients and families through direct care, the baking brigade or during special events like the Festival of Trees.

It is federally mandated, under Medicare, that five percent of all patient care hours be provided by trained volunteers. This regulation was included in the Medicare hospice legislation to maintain the important role that volunteers play in hospice philosophy of care. Hospice began in this country about 30 years ago as a largely, volunteer-driven community movement. To this day volunteers continue to be at the heart of hospice. Hospice of the Rock River Valley volunteers provide 18 percent of all patient care hours.

“Hospice volunteers play an indispensable role in enabling Hospice of the Rock River Valley to offer the best care possible for patients living with life-limiting illness, their families and caregivers. By sharing their time, energy, and expertise, our volunteers are integral members of the hospice team providing care to patients and their families residing in Lee, Whiteside, Carroll, Bureau, and Ogle counties. Volunteers bring companionship to people in the final moments and weeks of life, respite for families and caregivers and support in fundraising and administrative efforts,” commented Karen Voss, Marketing Director. “We are grateful to our volunteers during National Volunteer Week and every week, and pleased that this celebration of volunteering allows us to remind everyone that hospice and palliative care volunteers are angels working among us.”

HRRV will recognize its dedicated volunteer group at their annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner, May 8 at the Rock Falls Methodist Church. Invitations have been sent. To become a HRRV volunteer, contact Hospice of the Rock River Valley at (800) 646-9242 or find more information at HRRV.

by  Editor, theCity1.com
April 29, 2008