Volunteering in palliative care is a uniquely rewarding experience. Thanks to the generous support of Cedars CanSupport (MUHC), Hope & Cope (JGH) and Community Relations and Volunteer Services at the Mt. Sinai Hospital Centre (MSHC), palliative care volunteers at each of our sites are well trained and well supported by our invaluable volunteer coordinators (contact information below). As members of the palliative care team, volunteers are given the opportunity to accompany patients at the end of life and their families within the supportive environment of an experienced interdisciplinary team. Montreal’s cultural diversity affords palliative care volunteers the opportunity to interact with people from all walks of life and to broaden one’s sense of community.
To assist staff in providing patients and families with optimum quality of life, volunteers ensure the availability of refreshments, reading materials, accompaniment for short walks on and off the unit, friendly conversation, a quiet presence, social teas, cocktail hour, help with personal hygiene (shaving, manicures), fresh flowers for new and returning patients, and preparation of small gifts for special occasions.
To become a palliative care volunteer, a mandatory training session must be completed.
NEXT TRAINING SESSION:
Palliative Care Training is open to volunteers from any organizations. Certificates will be given to those who complete all sessions. The next training session in 2022 will be announced.
For more information on training sessions and volunteer programs at each centre, please contact:
virginia.lee [at] muhc.mcgill.ca (Virginia Lee) (MUHC, CanSupport, Lachine Hospital); 514-934-1934 ext 37063
kim.mai.chsm [at] ssss.gouv.qc.ca (Kim Mai) (St. Mary's Hospital Centre); 514-345-3511 ext 5541
rhanfling [at] jgh.mcgill.ca (Rifka Hanfling)afeindel [at] jgh.mcgill.ca ( )(Hope & Cope, JGH); 514-340-8222 ext 23985
csurette [at] tdpcr.ca (Cori-Ann Surette) (Volunteer Program Manager, Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence); 514-693-1718 ext 264
Mereille El-Asmar (Mount Sinai); 514-369-2222 ext 1332
rhanfling [at] jgh.mcgill.ca (Rifka Hanfling) (Hope & Cope, JGH), 514-340-8222 ext 23985
volunteer [at] maisonsrraphael.org (Diane Jodouin )(Maison St Raphael), 514-736-2001
sbednarski [at] mspvs.org (Susan Bednarski) (Maison de soins palliatifs Vaudreuil-Soulanges Palliative Care Residence) 450-202-2202 ext. 138