Seasons Hospice seeks volunteers to support, visit with patients

Volunteers make a difference in so many ways. One that requires a very specific gift of giving is hospice.

Jamie Knowles has been the volunteer coordinator for Seasons Hospice two years, but has worked as a hospice volunteer coordinator for 17 years. She recruits, trains and retains volunteers.

“I look for those who would like volunteer their time to visit our hospice patients, to be a friend to them and to listen to them tell their life stories and life accomplishments, or read them a favorite book, or many more acts of kindness,” said Knowles.

Volunteers visit patients in their private homes or in a nursing home to provide comfort and emotional support.

“We also use volunteers to sit with the patient so the caregiver can take a break or run errands. The wonderful thing about volunteering with us is you can use your gifts and talents to give back to our patients and to their families, like painting nails, sewing lap blankets or pillows, making birthday or holiday crafts/cards, singing or playing a musical instrument for them,” said Knowles.

For someone going into the health care field, this is a way to gain experience.

“Also, If you are a certified hairdresser, you can trim our patients’ hair.  Volunteers can make their own schedules. They can volunteer when it’s convenient for them,” said Knowles.

She loves working with volunteers.

“As I have always said, it does my ol’ heart good to be able help others,” she said.

Volunteers have such big hearts to want help others and are so compassionate.

“I also get the pleasure of getting to know the patients and their families. Being able to help and support them during this journey is very rewarding. It’s a win-win. I get to help the volunteer find their volunteer opportunity that best fits their interest, and I get to help the patient and family to have that support from a volunteer,” said Knowles.

Volunteers are the heart of Hospice, which was founded upon volunteerism by Dr. Cicely Saunders in London, England, in 1998. It is a local, nonprofit, faith-based care provider that has served Northeast Oklahoma for 22 years.

“Volunteers are an essential part of our team by providing support to those in the last phase of an incurable disease, who have entered this season of their life,” said Knowles.

Four volunteers are needed for the Claremore area. There are volunteer opportunities for groups as well. Volunteer groups can make crafts or cards and provide musical entertainment at nursing homes, she said.

“Our goal is to help our patients understand that they are not alone and that they are loved and supported. Meeting our patients physical, spiritual, and psychological needs is our top priority. Our compassionate approach to hospice care ensures that patients’ voices are heard and that their expectations are exceeded,” she said.

All Seasons Hospice staff members at Tulsa and Muskogee locations believe each loved one is a unique and important individual who deserves to be cared for with respect.

“Seasons staff members work together to ensure our patients needs are met. Our talented nurses, aides, social workers, physicians, and volunteers make sure that your loved one is as comfortable as they can be,” said Knowles.

They offer free grief counseling and bereavement services for up to 13 months after a patient’s passing.

Seasons Hospice serves the Claremore area with a dedicated team of professionals: physicians, registered nurses, home health aides, chaplains and social workers.

“We all work together to support our patients and families through this journey and season of life.  We are honored to be able to care for our veteran patients in the Claremore VA facility.  We honor veterans with a certificate of appreciation and an American flag pin.  Seasons Hospice loves to thank and honor our veterans for serving our country,” Knowles.

Learn more at their website, www.seasonhospice.com.  Contact Knowles at 918 745-0222 or jknowles@seasonshospice.com.