How to volunteer for Aurora's hospice program
Apply to be a hospice volunteerVolunteering for hospice is a straightforward process that begins when you complete and submit our hospice volunteer application form.
Your application helps us get to know you better. We learn more about why you want to volunteer at Aurora Health Care, what your volunteering interests are, and if you have any special skills or unique talents to share.
First, a hospice volunteer coordinator reviews your application. Then, you meet with a coordinator in person to go over the information and answer any questions you may have.
Each person interested in volunteering for hospice must:
- Agree to a criminal background check
- Have a tuberculosis (TB) screening test
- Provide proof of all required vaccinations, including the flu vaccine during flu season
- Complete a detailed orientation program
After we receive all required information, a volunteer coordinator helps match you with hospice volunteer opportunities. We match you based on your interests and preferences and our patients’ needs. And because Aurora provides hospice care across the state, we keep you as close to home as possible.
Matching hospice volunteer opportunities to your interests & talents
No matter your interests, you can help Aurora’s hospice volunteer program. Our volunteer coordinators match volunteer opportunities with your unique talents and skills to make your experience as rewarding as possible.
You can help people receiving end-of-life care in several areas:
- Administrative/clerical work
- Flower arrangement
- Light housekeeping
- Patient companionship
- Phone calls to families
- Music or massage therapy
- Special events planning
Additionally, Aurora’s hospice volunteer program welcomes people certified in massage therapy. You must provide proof of certification before performing massage on anyone in hospice.
Other volunteer opportunities include working with pets to bring joy and comfort to people in hospice. You must provide proof that the animal is a certified pet therapy animal during the application process.
If you're an active duty service member or military veteran, our Veterans for Veterans hospice volunteer program is just for you.
Opportunities at Aurora’s residential facility & in patients’ homes
While some people in hospice stay at Aurora Zilber Family Hospice, others remain in their own residences. Our volunteers help meet the needs of hospice patients in both locations.
During volunteer orientation, you receive specific training tailored to at-home or in-facility volunteer work. If you choose to volunteer at Zilber Family Hospice, we help you learn more about the facility itself, the location of certain items, and our processes.
Time commitments for hospice volunteers
The Aurora hospice volunteer program welcomes your commitment to volunteer. We generally ask that you have one to two hours of availability per week. However, specific time commitments are not required to enjoy the benefits of volunteering. Any time you have to give is appreciated.
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.