Guidelines for a Palliative Approach in Residential Aged Care

CHAPTER 13
VOLUNTEER SUPPORT
Palliative care services have historically relied on the involvement and contribution of
volunteers, contributions that are considered valuable to the success of these services [383,384]
(Level QE: Level IV). Volunteers have been found to be helpful in providing personal support,
and to possess adequate interpersonal skills, [383,385] as is illustrated in the following story.
Vignette 15: Joyce and Miss Walker
“She just crept into my heart.” This comment was made by Joyce, a volunteer, who
spontaneously offered to give a eulogy at Miss Walker’s funeral. Joyce had been assigned
to assist Miss Walker with her meals whenever she could spare the time. Now bed-bound
with little independent movement, experiencing the inexorable decline of Alzheimer’s
disease, Miss Walker seemed to recognise Joyce at each visit. “I think it’s the perfume. I
always wear the same perfume and talk to Miss Walker about it. I just chatter on when
I’m feeding her. She probably doesn’t understand a word I say, but I carry on anyway.
I also think she likes my singing! Although she never says a word I’m sure she knows
me.” At the funeral, the priest referred to Miss Walker as “a person we know little about”.
Joyce, one of the four people present, disagreed: “I know a lot about her. May I say a
few words please?” Unknown to the aged care team, Joyce had pieced together some
of Miss Walker’s past, so that she could talk to her about her early life as a dancer and a
dressmaker. Joyce’s contribution transformed an impersonal, perfunctory funeral into a
lively celebration of Miss Walker’s life.
RACFs’ access to volunteers varies widely, as does the role volunteers play within a facility.
However, as volunteers are an integral part of palliative teams providing support and assistance
to clients [384] (Level IV), it is suggested that residents in RACFs would similarly benefit [386 ]
(Level EO).
Coordination of volunteers
Effective inclusion of volunteers requires appropriate support and supervision. To facilitate
the inclusion of volunteers into the facility, the aged care team may require education in
managing volunteers in an RACF setting, or preferably, a coordinator of volunteers’ position
could be introduced.
A coordinator who has the requisite experience and/or training in volunteer support [385] (Level
EO) can provide ongoing supervision and support. A coordinator of volunteers is a person
responsible for the recruitment, training, placement and ongoing support of volunteers and for
liaising with members of the aged care team to ensure volunteer roles are clearly defined and
meeting the needs of residents [384] (Level IV). The criteria considered important for selecting a
suitable candidate for the role of coordinator of volunteers are maturity and highly developed
Guidelines for a Palliative Approach in Residential Aged Care 157