LEWISTON — Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice has openings for its upcoming class for individuals interested in becoming a hospice volunteer. Hospice volunteers are critical members of the hospice team offering needed support for patients at the end of life and their families.

The five-week training class is scheduled from Tuesday, Sept. 29 to Oct. 27, and will be held at the AHCH offices, 15 Strawberry Ave. from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. There is no cost to participate.

As part of the 27-hour class, participants will discover the world of hospice through discussion, guest speakers and skill-strengthening activities. The course explores a range of topics including hospice philosophy, pain management, communication, spirituality, grief and bereavement and the role of hospice volunteers.

At the conclusion of training, volunteers are matched with patients in or near their communities and are asked to make a volunteer commitment of three to four hours each week for a year. All prospective volunteers are interviewed before acceptance into the class.

To be a hospice volunteer, a person needs to be nonjudgmental, warm, compassionate and a good listener. A volunteer must also respect confidentiality and be able to provide his/her own transportation. For more information, call and ask for volunteer services at 1-800-482-7412 or 777-7740.

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