CORE CURRICULUM
Outcomes
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Children’s Developmental Stages and Understanding of
Death [1 hour]
Examine developmental perspectives of children’s growth (developmental
and cognitive stages)
Describe how children acquire an understanding of death
Gain insight into how children perceive their own imminent
death
Communication Skills [1
.5 hours]
State the difference between a social relationship and a helping
relationship
Demonstrate reflective listening skills
Demonstrate effective body language
Identify and avoid barriers to helpful communication
Allow the client and family members to share their experiences related
to the loss
Be prepared to respond openly and honestly when children
and/or adults ask
questions about
dying or death
Ethics [1 hour]
Respect value systems of the hospice person and family
Identify and keep personal boundaries
Maintain confidentiality of hospice person/family information at all times,
limiting discussion to
individuals or agencies identified in the
Pine Tree Hospice "Authorization to Release
Confidential Information" signed by the
client and on file at the PTH office
Read the Pine Tree Hospice Confidentiality Policy
Recognize situations in which Mandated Reporting is necessary
Identify the role of the volunteer when abuse or domestic
violence is suspected or confirmed
Discuss ways of honoring the wishes of both the client and
the family when differences, such as
pain management issues, exist
Family dynamics [1.5 hour]
Identify family dynamics expected to occur during the end of life
Describe the role of the volunteer in dealing with complex family issues
and dynamics
Support existing family dynamics, unless the family environment is
unsafe
Report, in a timely manner to the Pine Tree Hospice
Coordinator of Volunteers and Client
Services, any unsafe environment or when abuse,
neglect or mistreatment is suspected or
confirmed
Grief, loss and transition [1.5 hours]
Examine the concept of coping with loss and change
Define the different types of grief, including anticipatory
grief
State cognitive, behavioral, physical and emotional
manifestations of grief
Recognize situations that can interfere with coping with
grief
Identify ways a volunteer can assist a person or family with
transitions and losses related to
life threatening illnesses and death
Communicate an understanding that each person has permission to
grieve or cope with
transitions in his/her own way
Hospice Philosophy [
.75
hour]
Discuss the philosophy and purpose of a volunteer hospice program
Describe services offered by Pine Tree Hospice
Become familiar with the Pine Tree Hospice Mission Statement and the Maine State Regulations
governing a volunteer
hospice program
Briefly describe the difference between a volunteer hospice and a Medicare
hospice
Personal Death Awareness [1.5 hour]
Examine personal views and beliefs about death
Achieve a level of comfort in discussing death
Discuss issues related to advanced care planning, including a discussion
of "The Five Wishes"
published by Aging with Dignity
Discuss the use of ethical wills
Personnel Issues [
.75 hour]
Describe the Pine Tree Hospice organizational structure
Read and comply with the Pine Tree Hospice Sexual Abuse Policy, Elder Abuse
Policy, and
Infection Control Policy
Review and plan to complete and submit required paperwork to the Pine Tree Hospice
office
on time
Identify the appropriate resource person(s) when questions or problems
arise
Spirituality [1 hour]
Define and state the goals of spiritual support
Identify behaviors to avoid when giving spiritual support
Discuss how a volunteer can help a hospice person/family achieve their
spiritual goals
Be prepared to help the dying and the bereaved to say to
one another: "I love you", "Thank you",
"Please forgive me for...", "I forgive you
for...", "Good Bye"
Discuss ways of praying with a person/family when invited or with permission
Identify resources in the community that can offer spiritual support
Demonstrate tolerance of religious or spiritual beliefs which differ from
one’s own; if
tolerance is unacceptable, know that reassignment
is an option
Stress Management: Conventional And Complementary Therapies
[2 hr]
Define stress, name some causes of stress, and recognize how stress affects
us and those around
us: body, mind, feelings and
spirit
Discuss balanced nutrition, physical activity, restful sleep, joyful
diversion and service to others as
conventional ways of
managing stress
Briefly discuss the origin, beliefs and current practice of some
complementary therapies
Select and use conventional and complementary therapies for yourself and
others to relax, to
minimize pain, and/or to promote
physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing
Consult the NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
website for current
information
(www.nccih.nih.gov)
Support people who use complementary therapies
Volunteer Roles: and Introduction [.5 hr]
Discuss the roles and general expectations/boundaries as a PTH volunteer
HOSPICE EDUCATION MODULE Outcomes
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Funeral Arrangements [1.5 hours]
Become comfortable discussing a list of tasks, such as
funeral arrangements, with a hospice
person and/or family
Identify funeral services available in the community
Multidisciplinary Management And Hospice Resources [1 hour]
Become familiar with additional community resources for
hospice clients
and families
Report client/family needs and suggested referrals to the PTH
Coordinator of Volunteers and
Client Services in a timely manner
Explain the various roles of PTH volunteers and other hospice team
members (medical hospice
as well as other community providers)
Develop an understanding of a Pine Tree Hospice team meeting
Using resources such as the Funeral Consumers Alliance of
Maine (www.FCAMaine.net), be
prepared to discuss alternative
funeral arrangements when requested by client/family
Pain and symptom management [1.5 hours]
Briefly describe health problems commonly experienced at
end-of-life (ie COPD, degenerative
neurological diseases, CHF, sudden
cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, pneumonia,
systemic infection, kidney failure,
liver failure, metastatic cancer)
Define palliative care
Be prepared to use, and to teach the family to use a pain rating scale to assess and document
level of pain
Discuss health problems associated with various chronic
Illnesses
Identify medical interventions in the management of pain and
other symptoms that may occur
during the dying process
Identify ways a volunteer can assist a person receiving palliative care
Psychological perspectives on death and dying [1 hour]
Describe the phases of living with a life threatening illness as
described by Kenneth
Doka, Ph.D.
Identify the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual
tasks of coping with dying as described
by Charles Corr, Ph.D.
Support During Stages Of Dying [2 hours]
Be prepared to discuss ways a volunteer can assist a hospice
person/family to cope with the
various needs and losses during the
dying process including:
a) physical
changes (eating, digestion, breathing, weakness, skin changes, bleeding,
pain,
seizures)
b) mental,
spiritual, emotional and social aspects (unresolved conflicts, withdrawal,
visions,
restlessness, confusion, giving permission)
c) signs of
approaching death (final 1-3 months, 1-3 weeks, days or hours, minutes)
d) final days
or hours before death (general agitation, temperature, digestion, breathing,
decreased awareness, eyes, pain, saying goodbye)
Practice doing a "Life Review" or "Guided Reniniscence" using
objects in the client's
environment or history to begin the
discussion
Volunteer roles [2 hours]
State the responsibilities expected of a hospice volunteer
Know where to find a copy of the Pine Tree Hospice Policy
Manual
Know what a volunteer should do in the home when death is
imminent or has occurred
Read and sign the forms to be filed in the Pine Tree Hospice
office