Baycrest

Baycrest - End of Life Volunteer Manual 18 are often described as caregiver burden. A family's ability to cope with caregiver burden depends on many factors, including their coping skills and social support networks. WHEN FAMILIES DON'T WORK The dramatic changes that can occur in family systems when someone is dying are not always smooth. Family members may take advantage of the turmoil to pursue longstanding issues. Cooperation among family caregivers can be strained and break down. Resentment, anger and frustration can all surface. The dying person or family members may have a history of problems such as substance abuse, financial difficulties, mental illness or disability. If these problems surface, the care team can provide care and support. THE VOLUNTEER'S ROLE WITH THE FAMILY Volunteers often spend more time with family members than anyone else on the care team. Because they have such close contact, they often develop close relationships at a time when family members' energies, emotions and resolve are being sorely tested. Volunteers can be drawn into family situations as members grapple with changing roles, strong emotions and caregiver burden. To be able to provide support, it's very important for volunteers to understand the limits of their role: • Volunteers support, they don't fix. Volunteers are not social workers or family counselors. It is NOT your role to provide family or marital counseling or to intervene in financial or legal matters. Your role is to demonstrate support and concern, while allowing the family members to cope in their own way. • Volunteers are not alone. Members of the team will be able to help families that are not working. You can help the family by calling another member of the team or giving the family information– depending on the situation.

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