Being an Interim Hospice volunteer is an intensely rewarding experience. Volunteers provide support to patients who are near the end of life, and their family and caregivers. Help is provided wherever the patient considers home, which could be their own house or apartment or an assisted living or skilled nursing facility. The goal is to help maximize quality of life when quantity of life is limited. Typical volunteer activities include:
- Visiting and companionship
- Breading and taking walks
- Writing letters
- Visiting with pets
- Bringing in music
- Giving respite relief for caregivers
- Shopping and errands
- Meal preparation
Volunteers may also choose to help in the office with mailing, computer work, 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! Time commitment is about 1-2 hours per week. Days and times are flexible.
