| Hospice patients deal with a wide array of end of life concerns including deeply spiritual matters. Patients often reveal their personal struggles to trusted caregivers at opportune times. One member of the care team, the hospice volunteer, is often perceived as a trusted confidant. Therefore, volunteers are in a unique position to provide spiritual care. This study investigated the role and aptitude of the hospice volunteer regarding the spiritual care of hospice patients, focusing on matters of guilt, regret and forgiveness. Training volunteers to engage hospice patients in appropriate, healing ways is recommended, and suggestions for instruction presented. |
