Free training classes for Hospice Cleveland County (HCC) have been scheduled for Saturday, March 12, 2016, from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 13, 2016, from 1:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. at the Testa Family Hospice House Conference Room, 321 Kings Mountain Blvd., Kings Mountain. Hospice training is open to anyone who is interested in learning more about hospice care and the services provided to patients in Cleveland and Gaston Counties. To receive credit for the entire course, participants must attend both days at the times offered.
According to Krista Haynes, patient/family volunteer coordinator at HCC, the organization has need of a variety of volunteers. Some visit in the the patients' homes or in nursing homes or assisted living facilities. Others, called "Heart to Heart Volunteers," visit with residents in the hospice houses (Testa in Kings Mountain and Wendover in Shelby). Finally, support volunteers help in areas that are not patient-related, such as with administrative work, fundraising, baking or sewing.
Haynes says HCC usually has 2-3 trainings per year. "I can have more if I have the interest," she says. "I am willing to go to a church, school or business to conduct a training class. I just need people to let me know."
Haynes tries to vary the class time and format to accommodate different schedules. "Sometimes I will have class during the day or sometimes at night and other times on the weekend," she says. "I try to make it so that people who work have the opportunity to take the class."
An online class is currently being developed that will allow individuals to read the information and fill out paperwork on the computer, and then meet with Haynes to finish the training.
Becky Cook, a long-time volunteer with HCC, says that although the training is long, it is definitely worth the commitment. "If your heart is in it, it will be a blessing to you," she says. Cook became involved in Hospice after receiving Hospice services for her mother-in-law, husband, and later for her daughter. "They were just wonderful to me," she says. "The service Hospice provides doesn't just help the patient; it is also important for the family and caregivers as well."
For additional information or to register for the training, call Krista Haynes at 704-751-3547.

By April Hoyle Shauf