Volunteering

Our Volunteers are an essential part of the Hospice Team and assist in a broad spectrum of services for patients and their families including direct patient care such as reading, listening, or socializing with patients and their families. Indirect services include clerical or administrative support, gardening or making flower arrangements or supporting a special event. Volunteers are the very backbone of the Hospice program. Here are some ways in which you can serve:

Listen to concerns: You may help patients and their family members find their own answers to the emotional or spiritual questions which circle them during this time, by just listening and being a friend.

Keep the patient company: Your presence can be extremely comforting to the patient, even if the volunteer only sits quietly in the room. Often reading to patients or suggesting activities you could do together fills the lonely spaces of the day, by just being their friend. Family members may use this time for a much needed respite.

Provide a link to the hospice staff: Your reports on the needs of the patient and family are very important to the Hospice team.

Be a support person: You may often be the person patients and family members turn to for comfort, help and information. You may be their link and base of support during this confusing time. Sometimes being there as a friend is exactly what the patient and family need most.
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Provide physical help: You may be able to run errands, handle light chores around the house or yard work. If licensed and permitted, you may help with hair washing, styling and cutting, shaving or massages.

Help behind the scenes: Our volunteers help with:

Typing
Filing and other clerical duties
Fundraising
Special Events
Support Services