Volunteers

Volunteer selection begins with attending the initial class orientation session.   Potential volunteers are identified for patient care and / or office activities based on their personal choices, interests and talents.   Individuals who choose patient care participate in an orientation and training which includes philosophy of hospice, communication skills, patient care, patient and volunteer rights and other topics.  Those who chose to be office volunteers can participate in the full training program or a basic hospice orientation.

Volunteers play a crucial role.  we depend on our volunteer staff not only for direct patient care, but also for office activities.  At Hearts for Hospice the opportunities for volunteers to make a difference are as varied and individual as the volunteers themselves.

The following are some of the many roles a volunteer can perform:

·  Patient & Family Care

·  Visit or call a patient or family member

·  Companionship (from simple conversations to exploring deep feelings)

·  Shopping, errands, and meal preparation

·  Reading aloud

·  Listening to music together

·  Looking at photos together

·  Sharing a quiet moment together

·  Going on walks with patient or family

·  Sitting with patient so caregivers have free time (respite)

·  Journaling (helping the patient record their history)

·  Playing games together.

·  Help with household chores, nutritional education, financial matters, and funeral arrangements.

·  Bereavement support

·  Helping Office Staff

·  Answer phones

·  Typing letters

·  Filing  and Data entry

·  Newsletters

·  Graphic arts

·  Running photocopier

·  Community outreach and volunteer recruitment

·  Skilled services such as photography, computer, electrical or decorating

·  Errands to stores, post office, etc.

·  Sending birthday and sympathy cards

·  Setting up for lunch and dinner meeting