Hospital volunteer program continues to expand

The Cumberland Health Care Foundation is pleased to provide annual funding to the Cumberland Health Authority for its county-wide hospital volunteer program.  

Volunteer Services is pleased to announce expansion of the St. John Ambulance Therapy Pet Program and the incorporation of a new visitation program called Helping Hearts. 

Pet therapy allows patients to benefit physically and emotionally from regular contact with specially certified dogs under the supervision of a volunteer handler. With 2 additional handlers and dog teams, the pet therapy program currently serves patients at Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre, All Saints Springhill Hospital, South Cumberland Community Care Centre and will soon include Bayview Memorial Health Care Centre. 
           
In association with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia, Helping Hearts, a visitation program for heart patients and their care givers, is coming to the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre in early October 2010.  Local volunteers, who have experienced heart disease in some capacity, will provide emotional support and information to help assist in one’s recovery from heart surgery, heart attack or angina.  Talking with someone who has experienced similar concerns and questions can help.

Volunteer Statistics

The approximate number of volunteers (excluding entertainment, clergy and palliative care) at the end of the 2009-10 fiscal year was 83. Approximate total volunteer hours provided for this period (excluding palliative care and entertainment volunteers) equaled 4142 hours.

The table below provides the number of hours and volunteers per healthcare site.    Individual volunteers may donate more or less than the average dependent on the assigned role and availability.

Healthcare Site	Hours Donated	Volunteers
Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre	2,195	29
All Saints Springhill Hospital	103	7
North Cumberland Memorial Hospital	13	2
South Cumberland Community Care Centre	1,064	8
Bayview Memorial Health Centre	463	32
River Hebert Blood Collection	120	1
Your Way to Wellness Chronic Disease Self Management	136	2
Mental Health Social Program	48	2
Subtotal	4,142	83
All Saints Springhill Hospital – Palliative Care Volunteers		4

 

Where do our youth volunteers go?

Although it’s important to note that keeping track of where volunteers go once they start university is difficult, we’re fortunate that some do keep in touch with co-volunteers and friends in our community.   A quick review has shown that in the past five years, some of our local hospital youth volunteers have gone into entering healthcare fields as follows:  Nursing (10), Medicine (5), Dietician (1), and Physiotherapy (1). 

Your Way to Wellness

Residents of Cumberland County who are living with chronic health problems are being encouraged to sign-up for the Your Way to Wellness self-management program. 

This program is available to people with a chronic health condition or for people who want to better support a loved one who has such an illness - this free program can help those with chronic diseases overcome some of the daily challenges they face. The program teaches people how to cope with their disease by eating healthier, managing symptoms, improving self-confidence as well as managing fear, anger and frustration. Led by trained volunteers, the program runs for 2 ½ hours once a week for six consecutive weeks.

In addition to offering the program at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre in Amherst, Volunteer Services is currently recruiting volunteer lay leaders to facilitate upcoming programs in different areas of the County. The goal for Volunteer Services is to offer concurrent program throughout Cumberland County within the next year.

Recreational Therapy
Volunteer Services is partnering with the Cumberland Health Authority’s Recreational Therapist to assist with recreational programming for patients on the Restorative Care Unit at All Saints Springhill Hospital and patients on the Medical Unit at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre.

At All Saints Springhill Hospital volunteers arrive once each week after school and do activities with the patients such as playing the WII, BINGO, crafts and cards. Volunteers also assist with a cooking program on Wednesdays for patients at All Saints.

A very successful Spa Day for patients was recently held on the Medical Unit of CRHCC. Representatives from Mary Kay, with the assistance of volunteers, provided skin care and make up consultations for patients.

Volunteer Opportunities!
If you would like to volunteer or to obtain more information on the Your Way to Wellness program, being a friendly visitor, volunteering at the Information Desk, or any other volunteer programs with the Cumberland Health Authority, please contact Maryanne Jackson at 667-5400, extension 6559.