About Us
The Mission Hospice Society was founded in 1985 to provide compassionate care and support to the dying and the bereaved. Hospice emphasizes "care not cure" for the terminally ill and the provision of social, emotional and spiritual comfort for the patient, family and friends throughout the final stage of illness, at the time of death and during bereavement. Programs and services are currently provided in the community of Mission and the surrounding area at no cost to the participants.
- Hospice sees death as the natural end to life. We believe that the normal process of dying should be neither hastened nor postponed.
- Hospice exists to affirm life by providing support and care to those in the final phases of life so they can live life as fully and as comfortably as possible.
- Hospice encourages people to prepare for their own or a loved one's death by seeking out whatever physical, psychological, emotional and/or spiritual support they may need.
Most of the work of Hospice is done by caring volunteers. Hospice is committed to the provision of intensive training and ongoing support for these wonderful individuals.
Our programs are funded through grants from the Province of British Columbia, Fraser Health Authority, and gratefully received donations from our supporters. We invite you to support the work of the Mission Hospice Society by making a donation today.
Who Are Hospice Volunteers?
Hospice Volunteers are members of the team of health care workers who provide care and support to individuals and families at the end of life. The team includes doctors, nurses, home care workers, social workers, and many others.
Hospice Volunteers are members of the community who have taken special training, and who bring a richness of life experience, special skills and compassion to their volunteering.
One great gift that a Hospice Volunteer brings is the gift of time. Volunteers do not have to hurry away. They can provide whatever appropriate support is needed to help make life better for patients and their families and friends during a time that is often stressful and difficult.
A Hospice Volunteer is often the one person, besides family and friends, that is constant. A volunteer can be there throughout the illness, whether a person is at home, or transfers into hospice, hospital or care facility.
Hospice volunteers who have direct contact with patients and families are prepared for their role through a 30-hour training course conducted by Hospice staff, professional team members and experienced volunteers. Training includes the philosophy of hospice palliative care, listening and communication skills, death and dying, comfort measures, grief and loss, community resources, and role of the Hospice volunteer and other team members.
Hospice Volunteers can provide the following kinds of support:
Emotional Support: A significant part of the role of the Hospice volunteer is to provide emotional support to patients and / or family members. This encompasses being there, listening, accepting and normalizing.
Companionship: A volunteer may listen, reassure without giving advice, share worries and concerns, hold a hand, or just sit quietly. Other activities may include taking a ride in the car, reading, listening to music, playing games, watching TV or a movie.
Practical Assistance: A volunteer may assist the patient and family with helpful activities that help to enhance their quality of life.
Reviewing Life Memories / Current Events: A volunteer may help review a patient's life, explore meaning and value, and even record these memories.
Spiritual Support: If asked, a volunteer may pray with a patient or family, read from inspirational books, play special music. The volunteer will listen if the patient wants to communicate his or her faith, fears or any thoughts or feelings about end of life issues, or will provide a referral to a pastoral care worker or community spiritual leader.
Caregiver Relief: The volunteer may stay with the patient during scheduled periods of time when the caregiver needs to be away or help with child care or spend time with other family members.
Comfort Measures: Volunteers who have special training in therapeutic touch or relaxation may offer comfort measures if requested.
Community Resource: A volunteer may be helpful in identifying community resources or helping the family access appropriate hospice palliative care services.
Vigil Support: If requested, a volunteer team can stay with a patient and family around the clock during the last day or two of life.
Advocacy: A volunteer may become aware of needs that are not being met and can advocate for those needs or support the family in advocating.
Bereavement Support: Volunteers provide one-to-one bereavement support and are involved in various grief group support programs.
Some information adapted from Delta Hospice Society.