Hospice seeking additional volunteers

    Before retiring in 2003, Joan Sangster worked for 30 years as a nurse at Trinity Hospital and  Western Plains Medical Complex.
    After her retirement, the Dodge City woman took some time to relax and catch up on things, then found that she had some time on her hands. A friend of hers then suggested that Sangster should consider volunteering for Hospice of the Prairie.
    Two years ago, Sangster became a Hospice volunteer and found that she enjoys helping terminally ill people and their families.
    She said the experience educated her about what hospice care really means.
    "Before I was a volunteer, I really didn't realize what hospices did and what an important service they do provide patients and their families," she said Thursday. "I think a lot of people, when they think of hospice, they think of doom and gloom and sad things. But I really don't find it that way."
    The Hospice of the Prairie and Prairie Home Health agency is seeking more men and women like Sangster to assist terminally ill patients and their loved ones and handle other tasks.
    The agency is hosting a training session for potential volunteers, as well as for those who simply want more information about hospice care, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Sept. 20 at the agency's office, 200 Fourth Circle. The session will cover topics including the history and philosophy of hospice care; the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of terminally ill patients; the grief experience; effective communication; and the volunteer's role.
    As a volunteer, Sangster's duties include assisting hospice staff with mailing and other tasks, handling bereavement calls and comforting terminally ill patients and their loved ones. She said volunteers do not provide medical care, but they can help out by visiting patients — even if it's only for 15 or 20 minutes — sewing for them or performing other light duties.
    Sangster said she would recommend volunteering to anyone interested in helping terminally ill patients.
    "I think it's one of the better things that I do," she said.

Reach Eric Swanson at (620) 408-9917 or e-mail him at eric.swanson@dodgeglobe.com.