The Hospice volunteer is an important member of the Hospice family team providing up to four hours per week of patient and family support, or bereavement support after the death of a hospice patient. Hours are flexible and conveniently arranged to fit the volunteer and patient/care-giver schedules and needs.

The federal government realizes the importance of volunteers in hospice care and requires that Medicare-approved hospices utilize volunteers from their community. Approximately 100,000 people serve as hospice volunteers nationaly and give millions of hours of their time to serve terminally ill patients and their families.

Volunteers serve as a member of the hospice team by sharing skills and interests in a manner that provides comfort and enriches the quality of life for those served.

The Hospice volunteer provides support to the patient and family in the following ways:

Companionship: The volunteer's visit provides an opportunity for social contact and break from routine. You will be trained to listen and talk about feelings.

Respite: Remaining with the patient during a brief absence of family members.

Telephone Contacts: Extra attention may be needed at times of special stress.

Bereavement Support: Continued direct or indirect support during the bereavement period.

Hospice volunteers must be mature, sensitive and flexible individuals, willing to assist patients and families in a supportive manner. You must be willing to learn to grow through your volunteer experience.

No task is too big or too small for a hospice volunteer, but often the most important thing you can do is just "be there" for patients to reassure them they are not alone, to hold a hand, to offer a smile, or to just listen. It is not easy work, but the personal rewards are enormous. The strength and courage of patients provide a constant source of inspiration, and volunteers usually feel they gain more than they have been able to give.

Other volunteer opportunities include providing help with special projects, mailings, reception, clerical support or working with special events such as memorial services and fund raising events. Trained volunteers can assist with community education and public speaking.


Hospice volunteers often express their work with patients and families as a blessing.