How Do You Get Started?
Volunteers can share their time and talents in many ways. A comprehensive orientation program that includes hospice philosophy, caring for the terminally ill, and grief and loss education is provided to familiarize a volunteer with the goals of hospice and to ensure a rewarding and successful experience for both the patient and the volunteer. Upon completion, patients and volunteers are then paired according to their interests and desires.
Volunteer opportunities includes:
•Listening as a patient shares memories, feelings, fears
•Filling in to give family caregivers a short needed break
•Making supportive calls and visits to bereaved family and friends
•Telephone patients and families to offer support and comfort
•Provide administrative support to 365 Hospice offices
•Running errands/performing light housekeeping chores
•Visiting lonely hospice patients in nursing homes
•Reading, playing games, listening to music with patients
•Specialty volunteers provide massages, play music, and bring their pets
Student volunteers find many opportunities to gain valuable experience while meeting their school’s requirements.