I was asked what I recommend for hospice volunteer training. What guidance is needed to begin working with end of life situations? As I prepared to write my thoughts, I realized this information is not just important for hospice volunteers, but for anyone working with end of life situations — hospice professionals (including office and administrative staff) and end of life doulas. How about nursing facility staff? How about physicians and their staff? How about everyone? We all will face end of life situations.
Here are some personal questions to ask when exploring end of life work:
* What was your first experience with death? That first experience will shape how you react and respond to dying and death. Consciously explore the experience from an intellectual level to soothe the emotions of the memory.
* How old were you? Were you there? What was your emotional relationship with that person? These experiences create the foundation for your end of life reactions and beliefs.
* What do you think happens at death? Beliefs about what happens when death comes can bring comfort. Those beliefs can also bring confusion rather than consolation.
* What is your support system? Your coping skills? How do you relieve stress? What do you do for fun? All these affect how you approach living, how you view dying and death. How you grieve.
* What are you most proud of in your life? What is the best thing you ever did? What legacy will you leave when you are gone?
By consciously looking at our beliefs, our fears, our past interactions regarding end of life we (no matter who we are or what our life holds) can better come to terms with the fact that everyone dies. Not just others, but those close to us.
Something more about… To Care for the Dying Well, Look Inward First
If you work in end-of-life care — hospice professionals, volunteers, or end-of-life doulas — start with the fundamentals. Barbara’s book, The Final Act of Living gives you the tools, language, and confidence to support individuals and families during the end-of-life process.
