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FAIRMONT-- Mayo Clinic Health System Hospice, southwest Minnesota, is in need of more volunteers. Prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic the program was running with over 100 volunteers but is now down to about 50 volunteers in the region with just handful in the Fairmont area.
Peg Mudroch is the volunteer coordinator for hospice and palliative care for Southwest Minnesota, which covers 10 counties. She explained what a hospice volunteer does.
"We have volunteers who help us in the office and volunteers who help lend a hand to the bereavement coordinator, who hosts special events like Camp Oz which is a bereavement camp for children," Mudroch said.
Other volunteers, the ones who are most in need, are supportive companions. Mudroch said during a home visit they'll help tidy up, do light meal prep, play games with or read to patients.
"But they're really there to support the patient and the caregivers," Mudroch said.
Volunteers are asked to commit 12 hours a year, but most commit to visiting a patient once a week for an hour. Visits are based on what the patient or the caregiver needs.
Volunteers range in age from 18 up. While Mudroch said they have volunteers who are a variety of ages, the majority are preretirement or retirement age.
"When we place a volunteer, we take time to review the patient's requests and needs. We compare that to how our volunteers want to serve," Mudroch explained.
She said volunteers all have their interests and strengths and when placing volunteers their interests and location is considered. Mudroch said they would never ask volunteers to travel unless they wanted to.
"We need volunteers in every community so when we have a patient or caregiver who needs extra help, we have someone local who can go visit," Mudroch said.
The ultimate goal is to get back up to over 100 volunteers who are serving patients and the community. Mudroch said she would like to see 20 in the Martin County area.
"Volunteering enriches the lives of our volunteers, our patients and our caregivers. It helps volunteers stay connected to the community and really helps patients feel less isolated," Mudroch said.
She pointed out that volunteers are not checking for vitals or pulse or blood pressure, but rather just there to be present and connect with patients.
"As a previous volunteer, it makes you feel good. For me, it helped me have a purpose for my life," Mudroch said.
As for becoming a volunteer, Mudroch said they follow the recommendations of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, which suggests that volunteers learn about caring for and comforting patients, communicating with patients and families, loss and bereavement and boundaries.
There are some initial mini classes with optional continuing education workshops. Mudroch said the classes are offered either online virtually or in person. Volunteers undergo a background check and need to receive medical clearance.
The program is operating under a government waiver and is required to provide 5 percent of patient care by volunteers. However, because of Covid, it hasn't been held to maintaining that 5 percent and hasn't reached it since Covid began. The waiver expires in May so the goal is to get back to 5 percent of patient care by volunteers by June.
While volunteers are especially being sought now, the program is always in need of them.
"We are always looking for compassionate, kind people," Mudroch said.
Anyone who is interested in becoming a volunteer can call Mudroch at 507-594-6364 or they can complete an online application at volunteer.mayoclinic.org or send an email to mchshospvol@mayo.edu.