For a quarter-century, Hospice of Wrangell has been a lifeline for people in the midst of uncertainty and dying. It was 25 years ago this week that a group of residents met to form the volunteer organization to provide caring, compassion, information and accompaniment for the fragile and the dying and their families.

The organization is offering a four-week training program for those who are interested in becoming a volunteer, beginning Saturday, Sept. 26. The sessions will continue for the following three Saturdays, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church Parish Hall.

There is a $10 donation for materials, and pre-registration is required.

The training will highlight a wide range of topics, according to long-time volunteers Alice Rooney and Peggy Kipp.

The training includes ways to offer non-medical support for those who are dying, the impact of cultural issues, ways to support open communication, boundaries and self-care. “Hospice volunteers provide no medical services,” said Rooney.

Foundational aspects of death and dying are discussed, Kipp said, including emotional, spiritual and physical aspects.

The training also helps to create a safe space and conversation to assist people accept and prepare for death.

“These are topics that might also be a useful resource for those who may be anticipating the loss of a loved one, and who are welcome to attend (the training sessions),” said Rooney.

A new element of the training will be the incorporation of materials related to serving as an end-of-life doula.

People are more familiar with the concept of a birth doula, someone who attends, accompanies and advocates for a laboring woman through the birthing process. There has been growing recognition that the same advocacy and encouragement can be beneficial to those who are dying, according to the International End-of-Life Doula Association.

While the serious training is important as a foundation, volunteers also need to keep in mind that their interactions with those who seek hospice assistance can be less weighty. “Volunteers may help sustain some quality of life by reading to the client, talking sports or community happenings, assisting with letter-writing or running light errands,” said Kipp. 

Volunteers may provide a practical and emotional support resource for the family. One critical contribution is providing respite for the care-giving family. Rooney spoke of her own experience: “When my own husband was at the end of life, I had two volunteers on call to give me breaks for an hour or so to go shopping or go to church, and this was a godsend.”

They may also be there when there is no one else. Rooney recalled a person with no local family or other support. “We had a team of three volunteers alternating daily for several hours to keep the home clean, prepare food and so forth,” she said. They did it, Kipp added, “because no one should have to die alone.”

For more information about the training, contact Rooney at 907-305-0007 or Kipp at 617-872-8932.