A home from home.

That is now volunteers co-ordinator Mrs. Jacqueline Horsfield describes Agape House, the Paget residence for the terminally ill.

Too many of the public, however, think of it as "the death house'', where patients who enter never leave alive.

It is that image, and other misconceptions, which the newly-formed Friends of Hospice volunteer organisation is anxious to dispel.

"Everyone who comes to Agape House has been diagnosed with a terminal illness, but that doesn't mean they're going to die within days or weeks, nor are they sent here specifically to die,'' Mrs. Horsfield stressed. "In many cases, we stabilise the patient, and get them to a position where they can take care of themselves and then send them home.'' In fact, several patients who arrived at the Paget facility in what is known medically as a "moribund'' state -- very close to death -- are now, following treatment, leading productive lives, including driving their own cars.

The specialised care programme given at Agape House is palliative -- that is, it focuses on providing freedom from pain, and symptom control.

"Patients have to be aware that we don't believe in resuscitation or prolonging life unnecessarily,'' Mrs. Horsfield explained. "Rather, we believe in putting them in a position to make the most of the time they have left.'' Part of that process includes fostering a positive attitude -- which research indicates extends life -- and with it an acceptance of death.

Acknowledging that most people preferred not to deal with the subject, the volunteer co-ordinator said the professionals at Agape House believed in helping those in their care -- as well as their families -- deal with reality as sensibly and humanely as possible.

"It is part of our role to talk to people about death,'' she said. "In the western world the attitude is to sweep it under the table because people don't want to discuss it.

"We try to be as gentle we can, but at the same time we initiate patients into the process they will be going through, and encourage them to be open and grieve in whatever way suits them. They may be afraid of death, but they will understand that they will not die in pain or alone,'' Mrs. Horsfield said.

Volunteers trained in bereavement skills also work with the residents and their families, offering counsel and support both before and after the death of a loved one.

At Agape House, those entering, either as residents -- as staff prefer to call the patients -- or as visitors, are always pleasantly surprised by the warm, friendly atmosphere generated not only by very pleasant surroundings, but the up-beat attitude of all staff and volunteers.

"It is a very warm and welcome place, and it is a house,'' fund-raising chairman Mr. Andrew Soares stressed. "It is not like a hospital. You won't see any medical equipment around and the beds are not hospital beds. Anything the residents had at home they will find here. We even have a real fire in the fireplace.'' Meals are served by volunteer waitresses, and fresh flowers from the surrounding garden can be found on the dining and bedside tables, as well as on the breakfast trays of the bedbound. Unlike regular hospitals, there are no set visiting hours.

Friday afternoon tea parties in the living room are a regular feature, and at least one special celebration per resident is also arranged, be it of their own birthday, or that of a family member, or any other occasion which is special to them.

"It focuses attention on the resident and makes them feel wonderful, and since the families are also included, it gives them a very positive memory to reflect on later,'' Mrs. Horsfield said.

On special occasions, like Christmas and Easter, families are invited join the residents for a meal. Last Christmas, 40 sat down to a festive luncheon. From time to time, groups or individuals with special talents to share arrive to entertain the residents, and more activities of this nature are planned.

Soon, excursions and visits outside the Paget residence will be part of the regular "curriculum'' -- thanks to volunteer Miss Deborah Albouy and friends Mrs. Madeleine Joell, Mrs. Charmaine Lampit and Miss Donnette Casey, who organised a golf tournament last autumn which raised in excess of $38,000 gross to purchase a specially-equipped van with hydraulic lift which will also accommodate two wheel chairs.

Over 112 golfers took part, and sponsors, patrons, companies, merchants and a host of individuals also contributed funds. The van is expected to arrive shortly, and the National Gallery, among others, has expressed an interest in having the residents visit.

Activities and special touches are all part of the Agape House philosophy of helping residents to "make the most'' of their remaining days, but such treatment requires many volunteers to help the established support staff, and that is where the Friends of Hospice group comes in.

Founded in May of last year, and headed by a board, it has 99 registered volunteers, about 25% to 30% of whom are active.

The organisation's role is supportive, both in terms of volunteer assistance and fund-raising.

"The board's role is to fund-raise so that we can achieve the goals which have been set by Agape House in conjunction with Friends of Hospice,'' Mr.

Soares explained.

Led by chairman Mr. Keith Hollis, the Friends board is comprised of individuals who are as dedicated as they are gung-ho on their mission.

Equally keen is the newly-appointed Mrs. Horsfield, to whom responsibility for recruiting, organising and masterminding the volunteer programme falls.

One of her first tasks will be to increase the active volunteer base 100 percent.

"Our main focus is quality care and the whole person, not just their medical needs, so we need volunteer nurses and nurses' aides, as well as laymen and women willing work in various areas,'' she said.

Among the many opportunities where volunteers can serve are: flower arranging, waiting on tables, administration (computer work, typing, generating newsletters and more), baking special occasion cakes and cookies, socialising with and reading to patients, gardening, giving beauty treatments (hairdressing, manicures, make-up), fund-raising, reception, host/hostessing for special events.

Artists and entertainers also have much to offer, and Mrs. Horsfield plans to invite artists to paint or draw at Agape House from time to time so that residents may watch a work unfold.

A pets programme is also on the cards, whereby owners will be encouraged to visit Agape House with their pets and spend time with the residents.

While volunteers are carefully screened, and if found suitable must sign a confidentiality agreement, there is no restriction on age or sex. Seniors, for example, will have a wealth of life experiences to share with younger residents, while children in the company of an adult would bring a unique pleasure because they are so uninhibited in inter-acting with others.

For those who might be afraid, for one reason or another, of coming into contact with patients at Agape House, the volunteer co-ordinator was quick to assure that not only would new recruits not have such an opportunity for at least six months, but there were many areas where they could serve without meeting patients.

In any case, all volunteers undergo a training orientation programme. The basic criterion is a positive personality.

Recognising that many would-be volunteers are unavailable because they hold full-time jobs, Mrs. Horsfield said it was time for corporate Bermuda to recognise it too had a responsibility to help ease the universal shortage.

"Companies should make time within the working day for employees to give time or skills to chosen organisations,'' she said. "This creates a marvellous team-building opportunity within a department or organisation, and of course the knock-on effect is good for us. Such support can be financial as well as hands-on.'' She cited, as one example, an office group who, instead of buying each other Christmas presents, donated the money to Agape House.

Meanwhile, the Friends of Hospice board will be working on a variety of fund-raising events and projects to finance a host of needs at Agape House, among them a small sanctuary which is proposed for a quiet corner of the garden.

"We are calling it a sanctuary because it will be non-denominational,'' Mr.

Soares said. "It will be a place which staff, volunteers and families can use on a daily basis for contemplation or quiet reflection.'' Those who die at Agape House will also rest there before going to the undertaker's so that families may spend private time with their loved one.

It is envisaged that the sanctuary will have stained glass windows and a memorial tablet where the names of former patients, and those who have made donations in memory of loved ones, will be recorded.

Estimated cost of the building project exceeds $100,000.

Further information on joining the Friends of Hospice volunteer programme is available from Mrs. Horsfield at 232-0859.

WILLING HANDS -- Agape House assistant unit co-ordinator Ms Marionette DeShields (second left) shares a moment with some members of the Friends of Hospice executive committee at the Paget hospice. They are (left to right) deputy chairman/legal advisor Mr. Andrew Martin, public relations officer Mrs.

Evelyn James Barnett, volunteer co-ordinator Mrs. Jacqueline Horsfield, and fundraising chairman Mr. Andrew Soares.