So No One Dies Alone: A Study of Hospice Volunteering with Rural Seniors

Abstract

This paper summarizes the results of a qualitative study of hospice volunteering in the rural communities of northwestern Ontario. In this region, there are 13 independent and active hospice volunteer programs serving communities ranging in population from 1,000 to 15,000. The 13 volunteer coordinators in these communities participated in a phone interview in which they described the role of hospice volunteers in their community and the kinds of clients they serve. The results indicate that the hospice volunteers in this rural region spend a large part of their time visiting medically frail and lonely seniors who are at risk of dying alone or without adequate care and companionship at the end of life. Long-term visiting to build relationships of trust and genuine caring are considered the ideal in these communities. Implications for end-of-life care for rural seniors are discussed.

The use of reflective diaries in end of life training programmes: a study exploring the impact of self-reflection on the participants in a volunteer training programme

“…In line with previous findings by McKee et al [ 12 ], a consistent and core motivating factor in the decision of participants to join the Care of the Dying Volunteer Programme was a strongly held belief in the importance of preventing patients from dying alone. Undoubtedly, in Western societies the concepts of “dying alone” and “bad death” are often conflated [ 13 ].…”

Volunteer navigation partnerships: Piloting a compassionate community approach to early palliative care

“…The importance of their role is magnified in rural areas where healthcare resources are limited [2–4], and in the context of an aging population where early support [5], provided at home [6], is the optimal standard of care. Although research on volunteers is in a nascent stage, there is accumulating evidence of the benefits of volunteers for palliative patients and their families [1, 7, 8].…”

Aging in Rural Canada: A Retrospective and Review

“…Such efforts involve networking with community groups and other providers serving rural areas to create solidarity in the face of structural changes like rationalization of services and resources (Skinner & Joseph, 2009 ). These groups endorse the notion of being free to do what works in their communities, without constraints of practice or policy guidelines developed for urban centres (McKee, Kelley, & Guirguis-Younger, 2007 ). Skinner and Joseph ( 2007 ) caution against relying on local volunteers caught between the demands of restructuring and declining community resources.…”