Benefits of hospice volunteering
Apply to be a hospice volunteerWhy volunteer for hospice when there are so many other ways to volunteer?
Hospice volunteering introduces you to people from all walks of life, each with their own unique story. Serving hospice patients in the last days of their lives helps bring them comfort, especially if they don’t have any family with them. Even though working with people in hospice can be challenging, the benefits of volunteering make it a fulfilling experience.
As a hospice volunteer, you have a considerable impact on the quality of life for people receiving hospice care. Everything you do with patients – from simply holding their hand to joining in their hobbies – helps make a difference in their lives.
The importance of volunteering to patients themselves cannot be overstated. Each hospice patient paired with a volunteer has someone to lean on during what may be the most difficult time of their life.
Many people at the end of life are uncertain about the future and need extra help to feel as peaceful and secure as possible. When you volunteer, you provide extra support with your companionship and any special skills you provide.
Meet Ed K.
For more than 40 years, Ed was a banker who worked with people from all walks of life. This background, combined with his experience caring for sick family members and love of meeting new people, sparked an interest in volunteering with the elderly after retirement. A conversation with a close friend (who was also a doctor) introduced Ed to the idea of volunteering with hospice patients.
“During volunteer orientation, the other new volunteers and I were introduced to seasoned volunteers for a question-and-answer session. I also shadowed an experienced volunteer twice before going on my own,” says Ed.
Ed now volunteers each Monday. “When I come in each morning, I check the patient book at the desk,” he says. “The book has limited information about each patient, such as whether they are married or what they did for a living. That way, I walk into a room knowing a little something about the patient. None of their private medical information is included.”
“I visit each room if the patient and family are interested in having me there. I also ask the nurses if anyone needs a little extra attention, and I’ll go and sit with them. Sometimes I’ll have a nice chat with the patient, maybe get them water or a soda. Other times, the patient is quieter, so I’ll hold their hand or rub their forehead to bring them comfort,” says Ed.
“I take particular interest in staying with patients who may be close to death and have no family or friends present. Maybe they’re not aware you’re in the room, but I hate to think of someone dying without anyone else with them,” says Ed.
“It’s such a privilege to do this. In many cases, these patients don’t have family members, and it’s such an honor to be with them during the last moments of their lives,” he says. “I think of each patient as a sort of book – they have fascinating lives, and it’s wonderful to let them talk about their experiences. They’re usually delighted to share their stories, so it’s nice to give them the opportunity to connect with another person.”
Meet Beth M.
For Beth, a time of transition in her life proved to be pivotal in her decision to volunteer with Aurora’s hospice program. At that time, Beth worked as a senior caregiver. When she moved on to another full-time position, she found she really missed the deep connections she experienced while working in senior care.
Beth first learned of Aurora’s hospice program from a flyer on a bulletin board at her local library. After returning home, she immediately emailed Aurora’s volunteer coordinator.
“I was a little intimidated at first – I wondered how I would handle it. Would I be uncomfortable or awkward, and would it take an emotional toll on me? Aurora did an excellent job of preparing me and giving me the training tools and videos to help me feel more comfortable. The videos helped me understand what was best to say and do for people in hospice,” says Beth.
Beth usually spends two to three hours one night a week with a hospice patient. The process begins when her volunteer coordinator contacts her with basic information about a new patient in hospice. Then Beth calls the patient and family to connect.
She says it doesn’t take much time to make a difference. “You work with the family and patient to find a routine and schedule that fit with your schedule,” says Beth.
“I’ve learned that it’s really all about being present, and I really enjoy the deep connections that I form with the patients. My whole experience with hospice has been really rewarding and emotionally meaningful,” she says. “This program has deepened my relationships with members of my community, and it really feels like an honor and a privilege to form these connections with my patients and their families. Overall, this experience has given me a greater appreciation for life and what’s truly important.”
Have questions about volunteering for hospice?
Get quick answers to your questions about hospice volunteer opportunities and application requirements from our informative FAQ about hospice volunteering.
Contact our volunteer coordinators with any questions about volunteering for hospice that aren’t addressed in our FAQ.