Session 1: The Philosophy of LIFT
History of LIFT
Mission – Purpose – Vision – Values – Beliefs – Goals – Objectives
Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia – Definitions and Distinctions
Reasons to Oppose Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia
Toward a Christian View of Death and Dying
Perspectives on Death and Dying
Fears about Dying
Faith, not Fear
Together, not Alone
From Fear to Faith
Session 2: The LIFT Volunteer
What is LIFT?
The LIFT Coordinator
The LIFT Caregiver / LIFT Support Team
LIFT Support Team Tasks
Some Practical Do’s and Don’ts
Qualities of LIFT Volunteers
LIFT Volunteer Code of Ethics
Program Procedures for Volunteers
LIFT Volunteer Policies
Handbook for Visitation
Inpatient Facility Visitation by Volunteers
Visit Preparation and Evaluation
Volunteer Documentation Guidelines
Volunteer Documentation Form
Chart – LIFT Ministry – Role Network
Chart – LIFT Ministry – Flow Chart for Meeting Needs
Session 3: Caregiving Basics Common Caregiver Pitfalls
General Principals of Body Mechanics
Care Basics
Complications of Bed Rest
Suggestions for Organizing Medications
Taking the Care Recipient to the Doctor
Care Recipient Rights
Care Recipient Safety
Infection Control
Universal Safety and Health Precautions Policy
Communicable Disease Admission Policy
Precautions for AIDS and Infectious Disease Care Recipients
Session 4: Listening & Communication
Listening: An Act of Love
Doesn’t Anybody Listen Anymore?
Barriers to Good Communication
Tips to Become a Better Listener
For More Effective Communication with the Elderly
Listening to the Chronically Ill Person
Listening Role-Playing Exercises
Session 5: Crisis & Suffering
Crisis Definition and Characteristics
Five Stages of Crisis God’s Purposes in Our Suffering
The Needs of Suffering People
Common Attitudes toward Suffering
Understanding Acute and Chronic Suffering
The Challenges of Chronic and Acute Conditions
Session 6: Meeting Spiritual Needs
Spiritual Needs
Prayer and the Ministry of the Word
Use of Prayer in Caregiving
How to Pray
Praying Scripture
Tips for the Effective use of Scripture
Helpful Bible Passages
Session 7: Aging and Stress
It’s Tough to be Old
Aging and Finishing Life Well
Finishing Life Well is Living Well
Physical Changes with Aging
What Do You See?
Stress
Managing Stress
Chart A – Basic Human Needs
Chart B – Erik Ericson’s Life Stages and Life Tasks
Session 8: The Challenges of Dementia
Dementia – Definition and Characteristics
Causes of Dementia
Coping with Dementia
Overseeing Care Recipients with Dementia
Activities to Try
Muriel’s Blessing
Scenarios
Session 9: Death & Dying
Death and Dying
What is a ‘Good Death’? What is ‘Dying Well’?
Major Components of a ‘Good Death’ – Explained
Major Components of ‘Dying Well’ – Explained
Making Choices: Treatment – Benefit or Burden?
Additional Symptom-Control Measures
Signs and Symptoms of Impending Death
Session 10: Bereavement Care
Bereavement Care
What Grieving People Don’t Need
The Needs of Grieving People
A Word of Caution
Companioning
Children’s Developmental Ability to Understand Death