Baycrest

Baycrest - End of Life Volunteer Manual 12 Recreation Therapist. The Recreation Therapist offers individual or group therapeutic activities of interest, which may include arts and crafts, cooking, musical entertainment, garden therapy and more. The Recreation Therapist can provide resources, adapt recreational activities and support a person in spending their time in a way that they find meaningful & fulfilling. The Volunteer. The Volunteer provides companionship and emotional support as well as encouragement, comfort and assistance for the dying person and family members. THE ROLE OF THE VOLUNTEER ON THE TEAM Volunteers are members of the care team. The volunteer is in a unique position to connect with the person and family – to be seen as a peer and as more accessible than other members of the team. This means that people who are dying and their families may sometimes share information with a volunteer that they haven't shared with other members of the team, and the volunteer can help communicate their needs to the rest of the team. The main roles of the volunteer are: • Companionship and emotional support. Volunteers provide companionship and emotional support – talking and listening to the person and family, and just "being there" sitting with the person. Volunteers allow the dying person to express their feelings (e.g. fear, anger, love, hope) and facilitate communication. • Comfort. Volunteers help to comfort the dying person by, for example, holding their hand, if the patient wishes. • Encouragement. Volunteers encourage the person to pursue their interests. They promote their health and well-being. • Practical assistance. Volunteers help with practical tasks, such as refilling their water or escorting to the gift shop when approved by nurse.

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