CCMH Abider program expands to the hospital

The successful Abider program at Pioneer Manor will expand to the hospital as of October 1. Abiders are trained, nonclinical volunteers who provide a caring presence for patients at the hospital and residents at Pioneer Manor long term care facility, giving comfort as death nears. Abiders are not meant to take the place of family and friends, but some patients or residents may have outlived family and friends, and the program’s goal is make sure no one dies alone.

If a physician determines that the patient is near death, and staff establish that no family members are available to abide with the patient, the House Supervisor contacts the Abider Services Team Captain to implement the abiding process.

Potential Abiders complete an application process and interview, and successful applicants complete a three-hour orientation, which includes facility tours. Abiders are expected to provide an abiding presence in two-hour assignments as requested by the program coordinator. Quarterly meetings provide participants with updates and education to address bereavement and any other concerns.