Hospice volunteers provide companionship to people living with a
life limiting illness and help their family caregivers in a variety
of ways. Volunteers offer to patients and families a listening ear,
a hand to hold and a warm heart. They may sit at the bedside, they
may run errands or assist with light housekeeping. The type of support
an individual volunteer offers varies with the needs of the patient/family
and the abilities of the volunteer. In addition to providing patient
care, Hospice volunteers help with office work, fund raising and
community outreach.
Hospice volunteers receive training and on-going education opportunities
to ensure they feel comfortable with their tasks. Hospice education
covers:
Philosophy of hospice care.
Services offered by hospice.
Physical, emotional, social and spiritual issues that
people can encounter at the end of life.
Effective communication when speaking with patients
and family members.
Hospice volunteers provide companionship to people living with a
life limiting illness and help their family caregivers in a variety
of ways. Volunteers offer to patients and families a listening ear,
a hand to hold and a warm heart. They may sit at the bedside, they
may run errands or assist with light housekeeping. The type of support
an individual volunteer offers varies with the needs of the patient/family
and the abilities of the volunteer. In addition to providing patient
care, Hospice volunteers help with office work, fund raising and
community outreach.