Beginning Feb. 20, the Visiting Nurse Association Health Group Hospice Program will offer a FREE 3-session Hospice Volunteer Training course entitled “Understanding Caring: Understanding Hospice.” The course is open to individuals 18 years of age and older and qualifies participants as certified VNA Health Group hospice volunteers.  Sessions are scheduled on three consecutive Wednesdays, February 20, February 27 and March 6 from 9:30am to 2:00pm at Visiting Nurse Association Health Group, located at 176 Riverside Avenue, Red Bank, New Jersey.

Training and support will be provided by members of the VNA Health Group Hospice team.  The course is designed to prepare individuals for the joy of being a hospice volunteer. Discussions include the grief process, family dynamics, communication and listening, spirituality, and patient-family centered care.  In addition, information will be provided on the many rewards and opportunities available to hospice volunteers though home visitation, administrative support and special projects to support our mission of caring and compassion.

There is no charge for the course but advance registration is required.  Participants must attend all three sessions to become a home visitation hospice volunteer.  To register, call Pauline DePalma, manager of volunteers, at 732-224-6933 or email Pauline.depalma@vnahg.org

About VNA Health Group

VNA Health Group Hospice was established in 1980 and was one of the first Medicare-certified agencies in New Jersey.  Members of the hospice team work collaboratively to provide comfort and support for the patient as well as support for the family throughout their loved one’s illness and during the time of bereavement.

Visiting Nurse Association Health Group, founded in 1912, is the largest, nonprofit community health provider of in-home health care, hospice and community-based services in New Jersey.  Members of VNA Health Group include VNA of Central Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Visiting Nurses, Cape VNA, and VNA of Englewood.