BROKEN Hill Far West Local Health District is looking for volunteers to assist people who are nearing the end of their journeys.
It’s a vital job for an important time of life, and local volunteer co-ordinator Janet Pearce said it’s more rewarding than people might think.
“A lot of people may think palliative care volunteering is daunting, that they wouldn’t be able to talk to someone who’s dying,” Ms Pearce said.
“But, in actual fact, they’re just people, and, for them, just having someone to talk to about normal everyday things can provide great relief.”
Ms Pearce said the team is seeking volunteers for two distinct services; dementia and palliative care in the hospital ward, and palliative care for those who are living in the community.
“The dementia, delirium and palliative care volunteer service provides support to patients in hospital who are living with dementia, are diagnosed with delirium or are palliative patients,” Ms Pearce explained.
“The other team of volunteers is involved in community palliative care. They visit people with a life-limiting illness who are in their homes. These are specifically palliative care volunteers.”
Ms Pearce said all volunteers receive training, so the only qualifications required are a good ear and a decent heart.
“Palliative patients might live with their illness for a short time, or it might be many years,” she said.
“So having a volunteer to talk with on a regular basis, it gives people something to look forward to, someone to confide in, build a rapport, have a laugh.”
Ms Pearce said talking to someone who is neither a family member nor a health worker can be nourishing for those who may need a break from their own medical condition.
“So many of the people around them are discussing the medical situation,” she said. “Families are worried about meal times and all sorts of things like that.
“Then the volunteer comes in from a totally different perspective. They’re just providing some comfort and companionship, just someone to talk to about everyday things, and it takes people’s mind off their illness.”
Ms Pearce, who has been co-ordinating the service since 2018, believes it’s as important a time of life as birth, or anything that happens in the meantime.
“Just as we are born, we’re all going to die,” she said. “It’s a part of life, and, for whatever reason, we seem very reluctant to talk about death.
“But if we took as much care planning for our deaths as we did for every other major event in life, I’m sure it’d be a lot easier.”
Those wishing to volunteer can call Janet Pearce on either 08 8080 1733 or 0428 913 303, Monday to Thursday between 10am and 3pm.
