Course on hospice care to begin April 12

Saint Barnabas Hospice and Palliative Care Center at Monmouth Medical Center, 300 Second Ave., Long Branch, will hold a seven-session training course Tuesdays from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. April 12-May 24.

The free course is for prospective volunteers wishing to understand the hospice concept and prepare for future volunteer work. Topics covered include the family as a unit of care, effect of illness at different stages of life, spiritual aspects of death, and bereavement support. Following completion, hospice volunteers are assigned to patients and families close to the volunteer’s neighborhood or town, and may contribute as little as three hours per week or more.

Preregistration is required. Call Spiro Ballas, volunteer coordinator at (973) 322-4866, or e-mail [email protected].