Assist Hospice Patients in an Inpatient Unit Setting

VITAS Volunteers give their time to terminally ill patients and their families in a hospital type setting. Volunteers are needed to visit with patients and families, serve patients at mealtime, read books out loud to patients or visiting children, write letters or play games with patients and/or families, offer spiritual support, provide friendly support with your certified pet, sing or play music for patients and their families, manage the patient care activity cart and help with administrative duties. The VITAS IPU is open 24 hours, 7 days a week. Volunteers generally help by providing support during a 2 to 4 hour shift. VITAS provides free volunteer orientation on how to work with people at the end of life. Volunteers are trained in listening skills, family dynamics and the right words to say to terminally ill patients and their family caregivers. Assignments are made according to the volunteer’s work and family schedules.