Agency: The Heart Touch Project

Description: The Heart Touch Project is a non-profit organization that trains caregivers, massage therapists and other healthcare providers to provide a form of gentle massage referred to as compassionate touch to individuals in hospice care.

The Heart Touch Training teaches the basic skills and knowledge needed to provide compassionate touch therapy to those who are critically ill. The training consists primarily of hands-on experience of compassionate touch, universal precautions, critical communication skills, and the importance of boundaries and self-care. Considerations of the physiological, psychological, and logistical aspects of working with a person at the end-stage of life are explored. The training allows for open and informative exchanges with your peers and instructors about your concerns, helps team-building, and explains the importance of taking advantage of the support services and educational opportunities provided by Heart Touch.

Upon completion of the training, volunteers are assigned to one of our partner hospices that is geographically near them which will assign them a client. Hospices typically ask volunteers to provide compassionate touch to a client once a week for a period of one year.

Impact Areas: Health & Wellness, Other

Interests: There are no interests specified for this project.

Skills: There are no skills specified for this project.

Location: Los Angeles, CA 90405

Accommodations for volunteers with disabilities: You will have the opportunity to request accommodations after you sign up for this project.