VISITS TERMINALLY HL 7
Volunteer brings holiday

IAN ANDREWS, 54, will be giving his time as a} 7

Christmas Day gift to terminally il! patients in

Lions Gate Hospital,

while most people will be

opening Christmas gifts, drinking eggnog or
preparing that big bird for the feast.

For the second Christmas
in a row, Andrews is visiting
patients on the seventh floor
of Lions Gate's west wing,
giving support and reassur-
ance to the terminally ill.

Since becoming a Chris-
tian seven years ago, he has
fele no better time to give
than on Christmas Day.

Until two years ago, he
served Christmas dinner at
the Salvation Army, but now
says he can be of more help
up on? West.

Besides, he says, ‘‘It gives
you a tremendous lift
especially on Christmas Day.
The people on 7 West are the
Most courageous people I
have ever met.”’

Andrews is one of 42
palliative care volunteers on
the North Shore, says volun-
teer coordinator Claudia
Webber. And the program is
looking for more.

The number of beds open
for patiiative care has in-
creased from 10 to 14 at
Lions Gate Hospital.

“Palliative care is a
holistic approach to the care
of terminally ill patients and

their families,*’ Webber
said.
After intensive training,

volunteers take part in three
different programs. In the
ward, on two hour shifts,
they visit patients and their
families to offer emotional
and practical support.

This could be just sitting
with a patient, helping with
feeding, letter writing,

reading or short outings.

As well as ward visita-
tions, the palliative care
program offers a one-to-one
program for patients and
their families.

A bereavement program
also follows up in-hospital
and home visits for families,
after the death of a patient.

While ‘palliative care re-
quires a special type of per-
son, it is an uplifting experi-
ence, says Webber, who has
been involved in the field for
five years.

“Volunteers realize there
is such a void of people for
this type of work,’’ she said.
‘4c is very different from a
hospital volunteer. It is not
task-oriented and volunteers
often just sit in silence."

For anyone interested in
palliative care, there is a
volunteers information
meeting on Jan. 27 at 7 p.m.
in the Lions Gate Hospital
auditorium.

After the meeting, poten-
tial volunteers go through a
half hour screening. This is
followed by six weeks of
training, which include in-
formation about patient and
family needs, palliative care
philosophy, death and
communications skills.

The palliative care volun-
teer program is jointly spon-
sored through the United
Way and the North Shore
Family Services Society.

iter: § sionths of. selling used furniture:
_ ahd. appliances, the good items | :

Shore News

23 - Wednesday, December 25, 1985 - North

A FRIEND IN NEED

PALLIATIVE care volunteer lan Andrews spends time with
terminally ill people at Lions Gate Hospital. Above, he
listens to a patient.

Save $ on our
19.95 portrait package
Sears Portrait Studio

1-10x13, 2-8x10s,
3-5x7s and 7 95
15 wallets* includes

95¢ deposit
At Sears, no appointment is ever necessary
to get professional quality photographic
portraits. We welcame adults ond family
groups. Each additional subject is only
95¢. POSES OUR SELECTION, These attrac-
tive options available in addition to this
offer: White Background, Black Back-
ground and Double Fecture Portraits.
Present coupon at time of sitting. Not com-
binable with ony other offer.
Also available: Instant Passport Photos
*Approximate sizes
Offer good for subject photographed
between Dec. 26 and Jan. 11 only.
Studios located in most lorger Sears retail
stores, Check your focal store for days and
hours of studio operation

+

Use your Sears Credit Card!

eit Seors Portrait Studio Couponi\ NYY,

MANY ITEMS ‘2 PRICE
| @ All sales final © No layaways or returns.

Nonesuch Ltd., Lobby Voncouver Hotel, 6 88 9454

% 900 West Geng, Van.

ame or cm eee eee een ee cee ee ere eee ee ee ee eee oes ee ee et

Sc