TAMARISK RESOURCES INC

Mission

Tamarisk volunteers are a caring presence. We create a safe haven for the thoughts, feelings, and concerns of persons'-and their families'-faced with life-threatening illness. We attend to our companions non-medical needs, while simultaneously providing much-needed respite to caregivers to those we serve.

Programs

Volunteer Program Companion Volunteers: ♦ Provide comfort, support and companionship ♦ Assist in identifying additional resources available for individuals in need ♦ Provide respite and support for the caregivers ♦ Chat quietly, listen, share silence, prepare a light meal, play cards or games, light housekeeping, read aloud, sing, watch TV etc. ♦ Provide all services without charge to the patients and families Whom we serve: ♦ Children & Adults receiving hospice and palliative care ♦ Chronic life limiting diseases (Parkinson?s, ALS/Lou Gehrig?s, Alzheimer?s) ♦ Individual?s living in the north suburban communities of the Twin Cities Tamarisk works with: ♦ Medical Hospice Providers ♦ Home Care Agencies ♦ Counties ♦ Hospitals Companion (client) Referrals When a potential companion is referred to us, Tamarisk schedules an assessment with the companion and their caregiver(s). During the visit, information about Tamarisk and it services are shared and an assessment is completed to determine the needs and interests of the companion and caregiver. It is important that both the companion and volunteer have a good experience. The Match When a volunteer is available, a meeting is scheduled with a Tamarisk staff, a Tamarisk volunteer, the caregiver and any interested family member. Volunteer Meetings Monthly volunteer meetings allow companion volunteer?s time to share their situations and receive support and ideas from other companion volunteers. These meetings provide ongoing educational opportunities, helps problem solve and provide ideas for additional resources and services that may benefit the companion, the caregiver and/or the volunteer. Volunteer Workshop The annual volunteer workshop provides education, team building exercises, fellowship and appreciation for all the volunteers hard work during the previous year. Volunteer Training: Tamarisk companion volunteer training is held every spring and fall. The 24-hour training is required before companion volunteers can start seeing companions. The training incorporates the knowledge of area pastors, grief counselors, hospice workers, caregivers who have utilized Tamarisk?s services and Tamarisk?s founder Gretchen Hanson.