Healing Grief through the Gift of Volunteering

Depending upon where you are in your grief journey, at some point you may feel the need to channel your pain, as well as the time and energy once devoted to your relationship with your loved one, into something productive and meaningful ~ through the gift of volunteering. As one who truly understands the grieving process, you may feel ready to reach out to others who are suffering the pain of loss. Now that you’ve found your own way through so many challenges of grief, you have a great deal to share with others who are suffering: you can identify with their struggles, empathize with their sorrows and doubts, and offer valuable information and support. Read on here >>>
Share
Posted by Marty Tousley, RN, MS, FT
Labels: , , , , ,

20 comments:

  1. Marty Tousley, RN, MS, FTMarch 1, 2011 at 10:31 AM

    “Time…to Help Others” is a new video from Hospice Foundation of America (HFA), intended to inspire and motivate viewers to become hospice volunteers by sharing thoughts and experiences of current volunteers. It runs just over 16 minutes and is subtitled for the hearing impaired. View it online at http://bit.ly/hnws1C

    ReplyDelete
  2. Marty Tousley, RN, MS, FTMarch 8, 2011 at 12:51 PM

    In another interesting article, Volunteering by the Aging is Giving Back, the author observes: "A recent study at Arizona State University, led by psychologist Morris Okun, found that there is a link between volunteerism in the elderly and a prolonged life span. Here are a few areas where the aging may choose to become involved." Read more here: http://bit.ly/fyRVuO

    ReplyDelete
  3. Marty Tousley, RN, MS, FTMarch 22, 2011 at 4:47 PM

    See also this beautiful essay by Rachel Naomi Remen, who explains how service is different from helping: "In The Service of Life," http://www.rachelremen.com/service.html

    ReplyDelete
  4. Marty Tousley, RN, MS, FTApril 4, 2011 at 2:52 PM

    This just in from Soaring Spirits Loss Foundation (SSLF):
    Soaring Spirits is thrilled to announce the addition of Janine Eggers (AKA TxMomx6) to our Board of Directors. Janine will be serving as our National Volunteer Coordinator, making volunteering from wherever you live possible! With her extensive personal, and professional, volunteer experience Janine brings a talent for connecting willing hands with tasks that serve our whole community! Her passion for building community among widowed people, and her enthusiasm for the work of SSLF will make her a an amazing addition to our team. SSLF is run by a dedicated volunteer team. Do you want have a desire to give back to the widowed community? Do you have any special talents you'd be willing to lend to our programs? Have you been looking for a way to turn your grief experience into something more than just a personal tragedy? We need YOU....just contact Janine at janinesslf@gmail.com, and she will find a way that you can make a difference through your support of Soaring Spirits!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Marty Tousley, RN, MS, FTApril 18, 2011 at 9:47 PM

    Here's a helpful and informative article by hospice nurse Angela Morrow, RN, describing another role that hospice volunteers can play: insuring that no one dies alone: "Death Vigils in Hospice Care," http://bit.ly/eZr27Z

    ReplyDelete
  6. Marty Tousley, RN, MS, FTAugust 22, 2011 at 2:46 PM

    See this lovely post from The Daily Om, "Giving the Gift of You," http://www.dailyom.com/articles/2011/29767.html

    ReplyDelete
  7. Marty Tousley, RN, MS, FTSeptember 7, 2011 at 10:59 AM

    In his PsychCentral article, Senior News Editor Rick Nauert makes the point that "Altruistic Volunteering Can Lead to Longer Life," http://bit.ly/qbn6Ok

    ReplyDelete
  8. Marty Tousley, RN, MS, FTSeptember 9, 2011 at 11:08 PM

    Studies have shown that those who give, live longer. Now, according to a new study at the University of Michigan, what really counts is not whether people volunteer, but WHY. Read "Motives Matter: Why We Volunteer Has An Impact on Our Health," http://bit.ly/p3eH7a

    ReplyDelete
  9. Marty Tousley, RN, MS, FTSeptember 13, 2011 at 7:11 PM

    This video describes how a former TV reporter for Channel 12 News spends his Saturdays volunteering for Hospice of the Valley in Phoenix, Arizona: http://bit.ly/mSjZjm

    ReplyDelete
  10. Marty Tousley, RN, MS, FTSeptember 21, 2011 at 12:24 PM

    If volunteering for pets and their people appeals to you, consider Pet Peace of Mind® (PPOM) ~ a Banfield Charitable Trust program that helps nonprofit hospices keep patients and their pets together during the end-of-life journey. There are currently 38 PPOM programs in 23 states, and they are growing fast. To find volunteer opportunities to help care for hospice patients' pets, contact a participating hospice near you: http://j.mp/nrgAOe.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Marty Tousley, RN, MS, FTSeptember 26, 2011 at 9:58 AM

    "Haircuts @ Home" is a volunteer program of San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine, whereby hairdresser volunteers make a significant impact simply by giving a haircut: http://j.mp/oW4qa4

    ReplyDelete
  12. Marty Tousley, RN, MS, FTNovember 28, 2011 at 3:42 PM

    Jeanne Dennis, Senior Vice President of the VNSNY Hospice Care, writes about the rewards and challenges of being a hospice volunteer in "Hospice: Volunteering at the End of Life," http://j.mp/t5Hkbk

    ReplyDelete
  13. Marty Tousley, RN, MS, FTApril 16, 2012 at 11:11 AM

    To help celebrate the work of hospice volunteers during National Volunteer Week, April 15-21, NHPCO is pleased to share these photos from hospice programs throughout the country: http://j.mp/Irh2wD

    ReplyDelete
  14. Marty Tousley, RN, MS, FTApril 16, 2012 at 2:18 PM

    In appreciation of all they do at Hospice of Red River Valley, Volunteer Services Manager Deb Kluck wrote this lovely letter to the editor of her local paper. Says she, "We simply could not provide our depth of services without them": http://j.mp/HLGXhw

    ReplyDelete
  15. Marty Tousley, RN, MS, FTApril 23, 2012 at 10:57 AM

    Here's another hospice that extends its care to the animal companions of its patients, thanks to volunteers in its Pet Peace of Mind program:"Hospice Care Trickles Down to Pets," http://j.mp/HW6J3K

    ReplyDelete
  16. Marty Tousley, RN, MS, FTApril 23, 2012 at 12:17 PM

    "Earth's Angels: Helping Those Who Otherwise Would Die Alone," http://j.mp/Iaq14x ~ A beautiful story "about regular folks who step into the end-of-life void the 21st century has created . . . total strangers who offer comfort and companionship to the Karen McClellands of a changing world -- some closer to the end of their journey than others."

    ReplyDelete
  17. Marty Tousley, RN, MS, FTApril 29, 2012 at 12:22 PM

    "Hair Stylists Provide Renewed Dignity to Hospice Patients" is the first of a series of blogs highlighting San Diego Hospice volunteers in their area of service. The first volunteer, Karin, is a Haircuts@Home volunteer. Volunteers like Karin help provide dignity and comfort by visiting patient’s homes to style their hair, since most patients aren’t able to go out on their own. Read more about the Haircuts@Home program here: http://j.mp/Iw1JXh

    ReplyDelete
  18. Marty Tousley, RN, MS, FTNovember 13, 2012 at 2:45 PM

    In this beautiful post, blogger Elaine Mansfield describes her own journey from heartache to healing as a hospice volunteer: "Healing My Heart at Hospicare," http://j.mp/T21O9r

    ReplyDelete
  19. Marty Tousley, RN, MS, FTNovember 13, 2012 at 3:26 PM

    Joyce Marie Sheldon, the recipient of hospice and home care for her husband many years ago, shares her heartfelt tribute to the volunteer who meant so much to her throughout his illness and beyond: "The Hospice Volunteer: Weaving a Fabric of Faith," http://j.mp/pXfoY3

    ReplyDelete
  20. martytousleyApril 11, 2013 at 3:07 PM

    Hospice and Palliative Care News has published a series on the important role played by hospice volunteers:

    The Hospice Volunteer: A Profile On A Vital Population:
    Part 1, http://j.mp/156nqYN
    Part 2, http://j.mp/ZjRglj

    ReplyDelete

Your comments are welcome!

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)
Tweet this