Become a Hospice Volunteer

Hospice & Palliative Care of Greater Wayne County Volunteers

Volunteers may choose from a variety of ways to be involved in enhancing the quality of life of persons with a limited life expectancy.

Direct Support: Volunteers offer direct and practical help to terminally ill persons and their families in the patient’s own home setting. Volunteer activities may include:

• Visiting with a patient living in their home to provide respite for caregivers and companionship for the patient

• Visiting with patients whose home is a nursing facility and providing companionship and emotional support

• Providing a listening ear for both patient and caregivers

• Providing transportation to medical or other appointments, running errands and delivering supplies and medications

• Providing support to the patient and family through music, conversation, or the recording of a patient’s memories

• Providing bereavement support to family members after the patient’s death

• Providing pet therapy visits for patients who desire the companionship of a certified therapy animal

Indirect Support: Hospice Volunteers also offer indirect support to patients through a variety of activities which may include:

• Assisting in our office with general office duties.

• Participate in fundraising and community education.

• Assisting with building and grounds maintenance tasks.

Required Training

Each volunteer interested in working in direct supportive services with patients and families must attend a 30-hour training course which includes:

• An introduction to hospice history and philosophy

• Information on patient rights

• Communication techniques

• The volunteer roles and responsibilities on the hospice team

• Pain management and comfort measures

• The grieving process and how to help

• Spiritual needs of the dying and their families and friends

• The emotional and social needs of a family impacted by terminal illness, and

• Techniques for providing personal care

Assignments

Volunteers are assigned to their areas of interest by the Volunteer Coordinator. Volunteers doing direct care or bereavement care are assigned to specific patients for the duration of that patient’s hospice stay.

Time Commitment

A volunteer should expect to give 2-4 hours per week.

We’re looking for

• People who care about the quality of life of terminally ill persons and their families

• People who are responsible

• People who enjoy life and who can come to terms with life’s realities

• People who are mature and want to grow personally

• People from every walk of life

For more information, or to register for training, please call the Hospice office and ask for the Volunteer Coordinator.

Toll-free:  800-884-6547

Wooster Area:  330-264-4899

Wadsworth Area:  330-336-6595

Frequently Used Volunteer Forms:

Volunteer Application

Volunteer Care Form

Verification of Hours Volunteered