Being a hospice volunteer is an intensely rewarding experience. Volunteers are given the choice as to what types of things you want to do and how much time you want to contribute (usually 1-2 hours per week). Interim HealthCare believes that volunteers are often the heart of the origination because they give the gift of time to those in need. Volunteers provide support to patients who are near the end of life as well as their family, and caregivers. Help is provided wherever the patient considers home, which could be their own house, apartment, an assisted living, or skilled nursing facility. The goal is to help maximize quality of life when quantity of life is limited. There are two types of volunteers, Patient Volunteers and Office Volunteers.
Patient Volunteers perform some of the following:
- Visiting and companionship which can include:
- reading to the patient
- knitting
- watching favorite movies
- word searches
- reminiscing
- listening to favorite songs or singing along
- Taking walks
- Writing letters
- Visiting with pets (must provide vaccine information)
- Giving respite relief for caregivers
- Shopping and errands
- Meal preparation
Office Volunteers may also choose to help in the office with mailing, computer work, organizing supplies, and administrative duties. Some volunteers have special training to help provide grief support.
Volunteers are required to complete an interview and about 9 hours of training. They also receive ongoing support and training from the hospice care team. Hospice education covers philosophy of hospice care; services offered by hospice; physical, emotional, social, and spiritual issues encountered at the end of life; effective communication when speaking with patients and family members; comfort care; the dying process; and basic information about grief and loss.
If you are interested in this opportunity, respond to this post via email or phone call!
