PA4 The companion volunteer service

Area of Science:

• Palliative Care
• Volunteer Services
• Patient Support

Background:

• Companion Volunteers evolved from a 2010 training program to provide unique emotional and spiritual patient support.
• Weston Hospicecare developed a trained volunteer team for non-medical roles in patients' residences.
• The program focuses on conversation, reminiscence, and companionship to enhance patient well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To offer emotional support that sustains patient care in their chosen environment.
• To enable caregivers to maintain patient choices regarding care.
• To provide a unique, non-medical support service within hospice care.

Main Methods:

• Volunteers undergo hospice screening and specialized training for the Companion role.
• Companions engage with patients and carers, encouraging community network utilization.
• The role involves building trust through regular contact and addressing the needs of both patients and caregivers.

Main Results:

• Thirty Companion Volunteers currently support multiple patients with tailored assistance.
• Feedback highlights the value of non-medical support and its normalizing effect.
• The service is appreciated for its ability to provide consistent, non-clinical presence.

Conclusions:

• Companion Volunteers are integral to hospice care, offering sustainable emotional and spiritual support.
• The volunteers' presence is valued in complex clinical settings.
• This role upholds patient and carer autonomy and choices in end-of-life care.