Since COVID, volunteers have been in short supply so that is a need at the moment. Hospice operates with nurses, CNAs, chaplains and volunteers. The volunteers do many things such as check in by phone with the patients, go by and visit with them or do whatever the patient needs. Hearing and sense of touch are the last senses to leave so volunteers can sit with patients as they get ready to pass away, especially if they have no family to be with them in that moment. A new program that just started is pet therapy and Mrs. Frederick is working on a music program.

They honor veterans so they would like to recruit and train veterans to help hospice veterans. They have a pinning service for veterans that honors their service.

Mrs. Frederick shared about another program she is trying to implement which is called Legacy Book.

This is a book filled with blank pages with questions on each page about things that have happened in their life. It can be filled out by the person who is on hospice or family members can help fill it out or volunteers can help the patient fill out the book. This book is a gift to the family members after the patient has passed away. Volunteers are needed to help put the books together as well as help hospice patients to fill them out. 

Hospice is covered by insurance, Medicare and Medicaid. The patient or their family never receives a bill for hospice.  Kiwanis members thanked Mrs. Frederick for an informative program about hospice.