As Hope volunteers, you may be following the ongoing national conversation about the future of America's health care. Every American should know as much as possible about the important health care issues facing our country.

As the debate and discussion continues, you should be aware that hospice and all of the programs of care provided by Hope HealthCare Services are an effective part of the solution.

Researchers have found that patients who chose hospice care lived an average of one month longer than similar patients who did not choose hospice care, because of the quality of care they receive. We have also learned that hospice services actually save Medicare dollars while delivering quality care to patients with advanced illnesses.

You may have had conversations with patients' family members who have said they wished that their loved ones had received our care and services much earlier, as they came to understand and appreciate the quality of our work and the commitment of our caring volunteers and staff.

Hope Healthcare Services, providing hospice care and all of our other programs, has become a national model of innovative, cost-efficient, high-quality health care.

Thank you for all that you do.

She Sells Sea Shells... and we need some!  Hope Chest is looking for all types of sea shells for the shell craft room.  If you have some you would like to donate, please send to Hope Chest. 

Human Resources Volunteers are needed in the Winkler and HealthPark locations. Tasks will include filing, sorting, compiling, and some computer work.  Training is provided.  We need 2-3 volunteers in each location.  Please contact Lynnan if you are interested. 
 
Badge Makers - A short-term volunteer opportunity is available at our Winkler office in Fort Myers. We need help for the next six weeks making volunteer ID badges. Days and times are flexible. We are back logged with all the badges and really need some help. All necessary training will be provided. Please call Courtney if you can help. 
 
Transportation Volunteers are needed everywhere! If you can help by driving someone to the store or doctor office, please call your volunteer specialist.

Special Event Volunteers needed monthly in Lakeland. Help our Professional Relations Coordinator bake cookies and talk to patients about Hope. You will work as a team, once a month from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Days will vary. Please contact Amy.

Q - I heard we have a hospice house in Sebring?  How does someone get to go to a house?  Or volunteer?
A - We are very excited!  There is now a hospice program at Highland's Regional Hospital called Hope at Highlands.  It is not a "hospice house" as it is not a stand alone facility.  Rather, this is a partnership with Highland's Regional Hospital. 
 
How does a patient get admitted to the unit in the hospital?  A patient is admitted based on medical need. If a patient is having symptoms that can not be managed at home, or if the symptoms require 24 hour nursing care, they can be brought into the Hope at Highlands unit to receive the extra care needed.  Once the symptoms are under control, the patient can return to their home. Our staff is there to help the patient and family in these situations. 
 
How do you become a volunteer on the unit?  There are 3 shifts a day - early morning, midday, and afternoon. Shifts are centered around meal times when the patients are more awake and alert. We also need volunteers to be "on call" to assist with a patient when needed. Sometimes a patient is anxious, scared, or very restless, and an "on call" volunteer is needed to provide one-on-one support. We need volunteers who will work evenings or late nights, as not all patient needs happen during normal business hours. 

If you are interested in volunteering on the unit, please contact Amy or Courtney. A 2-hour training class is required by the hospital.

"After Thoughts" A Success
A big thank you to Steve Schwinghammer, Mike Adams, and David Stallings for presenting "After Thoughts: What Happens After a Patient Dies" at Ice Cream Summer School. Below is their contact information, for those who have additional questions.
 

Steve Schwinghammer
Manager- Kiser Funeral Home
9231 Cypress Lake Drive
Fort Myers, Florida  33919
Phone:  239-481-4341
Fax: 239-489-4644
steven.schwinger@sci-us.com
 
Walter Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home
28300 Tamiami Trail South
Bonita Springs, FL  34134
Phone: 239-992-4982
Fax: 239-945-3900
Mike Adams
bonitafhmike@comcast.net
David Stallings
bonitafhdave@comcast.net

Volunteer Orientation and Training Classes
Please share these dates with your friends and family. We need patient home care and transportation volunteers! For a volunteer application, www.hopehcs.org/forms/volunteerapplication.
 
We look forward to filling up these classes! 
August 19 - Cape Coral
August 28 - Hope Chest
September 15 - Hope Health Center, Winkler
September 24 - Fort Myers
October 2 - Hope Chest
October 14 - Cape Coral
October 16 - Hope Chest
October 21 - Bonita Springs
November 6 - Hope Chest
November 12 - Lehigh Acres
December 3 - Fort Myers
February 3, 2010 - Bonita Springs

PIC PALS Volunteer Training
Do you enjoy working with children? Partners in Care (PIC) program is a pediatric palliative care program for children ages newborn to 21, who are dealing with a life-limiting illness.  The children and their families in our program need lots of support. 
 
Volunteers visit once a week for about an hour. Activities can range from crafts, talking, listening to music, watching movies, playing games, or just hanging out.  Find out how you can be involved:

Fort Myers Healthpark Office
Wednesday, September 16
5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

11th Hour Volunteers
It takes a special volunteer who can sit with a patient in the last hours. An 11th Hour volunteer will be called when a patient has 24 to 48 hours to live. Often a patient does not have any family, or the family is present but exhausted or uncomfortable being alone when their loved one dies. Most of these needs take place in a nursing home, assisted living facility, or a hospice house. A volunteer is called in to provide one on one support. Hours and days vary depending on need.  If you would like to be on the list to help, you must attend training:
 
Fort Myers Healthpark Office
Wednesday, September 30
1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

An Evening at the Broadway Palm
Join us for a fun evening out to see Married Alive!
Wedding bells are ringing in this very funny and touching new musical that takes a peek at two married couples, one newlywed and one... more experienced. From new babies, to empty nests, job stress and domestic bliss. Watch as they experience life from Niagra to Viagra!

Broadway Palm Dinner Theater
September 23
Dinner starts at 5:30 p.m.
Show starts at 7:00 p.m.
Group rate is $35 per person, includes dinner, show, tax, and gratuity
http://www.broadwaypalm.com/showdescription-marriedalive.htm

Many volunteers have asked how they can purchase one of the Hope shirts worn by staff members. Now volunteers have our own! 

Hope has partnered with Land's End to provide top quality, branded clothing for you. Below is a link to the Hope Volunteer Wear site where you can purchase shirts for volunteering. 

Some things to remember:

• Hope Volunteer Wear is an optional program.
• The shirts will not replace your name badge; you will still wear your badge with the shirt.
• When you wear the shirt, even if you are not volunteering, you are representing Hope.
• The cost quoted is the base price.  The embroidery is $5.95 extra. Sometimes Land's End runs specials for free embroidery, so keep watching.
• Plus sizes cost a few dollars more.
• All purchases, returns, and customer service issues should be directed to Land's End. They have an excellent return policy. 

We hope you will enjoy the shirts.  We may add more options from time to time.  Please click on this link to access the site:
http://ocs.landsend.com