Have you ever dreamed of the opportunity to make an impact in the lives of others? Maybe you have a special talent that makes others smile? Or free time to share a laugh with someone? A hospice volunteer does just that each day.
What is a hospice volunteer?
Hospice volunteers are compassionate individuals who provide comfort and support to patients facing a life-limiting illness. Volunteers offer specialized skills and support outside of the clinical team.
There is no one-size-fits-all to what makes a hospice volunteer. Some volunteers participate because they want to give back to the community or they might have a special talent that brings joy to others. However, each volunteer makes a significant impact on patients and their families.
What does a hospice volunteer do?
Volunteers ensure that the patient and family’s needs are met in a variety of ways. This can be through companionship, assisting with everyday tasks or providing respite time to a patient’s caregivers. Hospice volunteers can also make an impact by assisting the hospice agency with administrative duties.
This can look like:
- Sitting with a patient, socializing and providing a listening ear
- Helping with general office support (filing, shredding, etc.)
- Running errands for patients and families
- Writing a journal or life story with patients as a memento for the family
- Playing games, reading or listening to music with patients
- Walking or caring for family pets
- Assisting with light house cleaning
- Providing bereavement support for family members
Hospice volunteers have the unique opportunity to provide a type of care that is companionship-based. This non-clinical support oftentimes helps patients remain in high spirits. It might even give them or their loved ones a break from thinking about their illness.
Volunteers can also use their unique backgrounds to connect with patients on a deeper level.
Spreading joy as a hospice volunteer
For some, being a hospice volunteer is all about spreading joy in the ways you know best – whether that is through laughter, friendship or using your talents and hobbies to make others smile.
Connecting patients with their passions
Oftentimes, a diagnosis or medical condition will disrupt a patient’s passion. Hospice volunteers try to help patients continue doing the things that matter most to them while living with a terminal illness.
How do I become a hospice volunteer?
It is clear that hospice volunteers can make significant impacts in the lives of patients and loved ones navigating the end-of-life journey. If you feel called to do the same, consider becoming a hospice volunteer.
To volunteer with Enhabit, you must:
- Be least 14 years old
- Have experienced no significant personal loss in the past year
- Complete a criminal background check and tuberculosis test (paid for by Enhabit)
- Provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or qualify for an exemption if unvaccinated
- Complete an eight-hour hybrid orientation
Getting started as a hospice volunteer is as easy as visiting our volunteer page and filling out a brief application. We look forward to working together to provide a better way to care for our patients and their loved ones.