New Coastal Family Hospice Volunteers Welcomed

January 14 was Graduation Day for seven Midcoast residents who received certificates for having completed a 30-hour training course organized by Coastal Family Hospice Volunteers and led by Ann Cole, CFHV executive director, and Hilary Carr, CFHV bereavement coordinator.

The new volunteers are, pictured here, front row, from left: Sue Crane of Owls Head, Julianne Edmondson of Camden, Barbara Grossman of Spruce Head and back row, from left, Annette Naegel and Barbara Moran of Rockland, Pat Tavernakis of Cushing, and Patricia Kamlin of St. George.

Sue Crane of Owls Head, Julianne Edmondson of Camden, Barbara Grossbaum of Spruce Head, Patricia Kamlin of St. George, Barbara Moran and Annette Naegel of Rockland, and Pat Tavernakis of Cushing. Training sessions covered the Hospice philosophy, listening and communication skills, confidentiality, family dynamics, and bereavement support for patients and their families. 

Besides working directly with patients and families, Hospice volunteers also have opportunities to assist with fundraising, music therapy, office tasks, and more. Additional information about CFHV appears at coastalmainehospice.org.

The next training class in Rockland will occur in September; a class for Lincoln County residents will be held in Newcastle in spring 2009. For more information about Hospice training, or to request an application, contact Ann Cole at 593-9355 or acole@penbayhealthcare.org.

Coastal Family Hospice Volunteers, a state-licensed volunteer Hospice founded in the 1980s, provides nonmedical services in Lincoln and Knox Counties to those at the end of life. The organization also offers grief support groups for those who have experienced a loss. CFHV is a 501(c)(3) organization that operates under contract with Kno-Wal-Lin Home Care and Hospice.