Why YOU Should be Hospice Volunteer Build amazing, meaningful relationships

Hospice patient seeking a friendly visitor that loves to talk!! Hospice provides something more for patients when a cure is not an option. It is a medical care model focused on comfort. Hospice care aims to manage the patient’s symptoms while supporting their quality of life. It provides support for family caregivers, too. About hospice care Hospice is medical care for people who are expected to live six months or less. It is provided primarily where a person lives. At home or in a nursing home or community living arrangement - so the patient can be near family, friends, pets, and valued possessions. Locations for care Hospice services are provided wherever the patient lives. This may be a private residence, such as the patient’s home or the home of a loved one. When services are provided at home, hospice generally requires one or more caregivers who may be family members, friends, or paid caregivers. Hospice care also can be provided in an assisted living center or nursing home. Why YOU Should be Hospice Volunteer Build amazing, meaningful relationships Hospice volunteering allows you to create lasting, sincere relationships. You’ll collaborate with others who are just as dedicated to compassion as you are! These connections can evolve into lasting friendships. Volunteering is good for you! It helps you connect with your community, provides a sense of purpose, and can help with self-esteem! When you volunteer you’re doing something great for you and your community. Offers personal growth. Not only will you learn about the more technical side of caring for the terminally-ill, you will also gain a deeper understanding of the life-death experience, expand your empathy, and truly understand why the little moments matter. There are a ton of different roles for volunteers in hospice. Our volunteer coodinator will put you in the right place, so that you can make a meaningful difference that you are excited about! 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. 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 2 step tuberculosis test (paid for by Enhabit) Complete an eight-hour hybrid orientation Getting started as a hospice volunteer is as easy as contacting our volunteer coordinator. Please reach out today! We look forward to working together to provide a better way to care for our patients and their loved ones. Watch our video to learn more: A Better Way to Care®