Volunteer

What is Hospice?

Hospice is a support program for people with a life-limiting illness. Hospice care provides comfort and support for the patient and their family on their journey. The focus is on maintaining the patient's quality of life while respecting their dignity and uniqueness. Hospice services are available seven days a week, 24 hours a day by a team of dedicated staff and volunteers.

Why Be a Hospice Volunteer?

Being a hospice volunteer is a rewarding experience that allows you to make a difference in the lives of patients and their families during a difficult time. As a hospice volunteer, you can provide emotional support, companionship and assistance with day-to-day tasks for patients and their loved ones. It's a chance to give back to your community and to make a positive impact in someone's life. By volunteering, you can also gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the end-of-life process. If you are looking for a meaningful way to give back and make a difference, consider becoming a hospice volunteer.

What Does a Hospice Volunteer Do?

A hospice volunteer is someone who provides support and companionship to patients who are in the end-of-life stage. Hospice volunteers work alongside the hospice team to help improve the quality of life for patients by providing emotional support, companionship and assistance with daily tasks such as running errands or light housekeeping. They may also engage in activities such as reading, playing music, or simply listening to the patient's stories and providing a comforting presence. Additionally, hospice volunteers offer respite care for family members and caregivers, allowing them time for self-care or other activities. Hospice volunteers are an integral part of the hospice team, providing compassionate care and support to patients and their loved ones during a difficult time. Here are some of the different volunteer roles:

• Direct patient care volunteers provide companionship visits to patients in their homes or nursing homes where they socialize with the patients and provide respite for the family. These interactions may include talking to the patient, recording a video, creating a scrapbook as a parting gift for their loved ones, playing music, reading a book or simply holding their hand.

• Spiritual care volunteers in addition to companionship visits also engage in spiritual care for the patients. They may listen to a patient’s spiritual needs, pray and/or read religious texts with them upon the patient or caregiver's request.

• Clerical volunteers will do family reach out such as satisfaction phone calls, assist with preparing mailings or cards and assist the medical records clerk with patient teaching materials. They can also volunteer remotely.

• Bereavement volunteers assist the Bereavement Coordinator with comforting grieving families whose loved ones have recently died. Duties may include assisting a support group facilitator at Bereavement groups and visiting families or preparing bereavement mailings.

• Veteran volunteers require a bit more training than regular volunteers and they provide companionship specifically to veteran patients.

• Special events volunteers assist with fundraisers, colleague meetings, donor events, holiday events and any other large hospice events.

• Pet therapy volunteers bring their certified therapy pet on patient visits.

Please note: Volunteers are welcome to pursue more than one opportunity.

Volunteer Requirements

1. 18 years or older. 
2. Have received the COVID-19 primary series vaccination (boosters not required). 
3. Have a driver’s license. 
4. Have a reliable, insured means of transportation.

Become A Hospice Volunteer

Volunteers are an essential part of our hospice team.