Hawai‘i Care Choices Seeking Volunteers

Hospice of Hilo, now known as Hawai‘i Care Choices, provider of palliative, hospice and bereavement care to East Hawai‘i is looking to add to its volunteer team and will conduct a training session in February for those members of the community interested in giving a few hours a week to uplift others.

New volunteers can choose to provide services like companionship, respite, transportation, light housework, yardwork, or administrative support. “Our greatest need right now is help giving caregivers a break, as well as providing some hands-on patient care,” explained Volunteer Manager, Jeanette Mochida.

Training will cover various topics to prepare volunteers for interactions with patients and families. Topics will include –goals, services and philosophy; confidentiality and protection of patient and family rights; family dynamics, coping mechanisms and psychological issues surrounding illness, death and bereavement.

Training dates are: Thursday, Feb. 22, Friday, Feb. 23rd, and Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 26 and 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Interested trainees should go online to to complete an online application and then call Volunteer Manager, Jeanette Mochida at (808) 969-1733 to arrange a quick mandatory pre-training interview no later than Monday, Feb. 19.