With many rewarding volunteer opportunities to choose from, community members have several ways they can give back to others. Most people think of working in a food bank, building homes or tutoring others, but many don’t realize how fulfilling it can be caring for hospice patients.

Hospice can often have a “doom and gloom” reputation, and that simply isn’t the case. As a hospice volunteer, you can help bring peace, comfort and care to patients and their families in a transitional period of their life. Most volunteers walk away with a greater appreciation for life and an understanding of what’s truly important to them.

Memorial Regional Health is currently seeking volunteers for our Hospice Volunteer Program, headed by Melissa Almon, a social worker for MRH Home Health and Hospice. Almon said volunteers have a long-lasting impact on patients and their families, helping them navigate a difficult time in their lives. Anyone who is interested in community service is encouraged to reach out about the program.

“Hospice volunteers have the opportunity to impact an individual’s end-of-life journey in a positive and meaningful way,” Almon said.

About the program

In MRH’s Hospice Volunteer Program, volunteers work within their scope of practice to assist patients and their families with their everyday needs. Under the supervision of an MRH social worker, volunteers provide support for hospice patients and their families in their homes or other care settings.

Activities are based on the family’s requests and needs, which can include (but are not limited to):

• Companionship
• Light housekeeping
• Reading to patients
• Pet sitting
• Running errands
• And other relevant duties

“While something as small as running an errand for a family may feel insignificant, it can be incredibly beneficial to the family,” Almon said. “Offering the family brief respite by spending time with and offering companionship to their loved ones can be invaluable.”

Volunteers need to complete required documentation and ensure safety is prioritized when assisting patients. They must adhere to MRH company policy and the hospice philosophy, and they are expected to maintain professionalism in the work environment.

How you can help

The pandemic temporarily brought the volunteer program to a halt, as most patients and their families chose to limit the number of people in their homes. Now that restrictions have been lifted, it’s important for the program to gain traction again, as volunteers are a valuable asset in the care of a patient.

“Volunteers are an important part of the team,” Almon said. “By losing this key team member, families and patients were not able to benefit from the support, care and companionship volunteers can offer.”

Details of the position

Volunteers must be at least 16 years old and can pass a background check and drug screening. They must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation. Volunteers are asked to commit to a minimum of one hour per week; however, this is flexible given that there are not always hospice patients to be cared for.

Training is offered through a combination of DVDs, reading materials and in-person training activities. This training provides information about the hospice philosophy, history and what to expect when volunteering. Volunteers must additionally complete Universal Precautions and Hand Hygiene training, CHOICE Values training, AIDET+P and Service Excellence training.

Volunteers should be comfortable with death and dying and should not volunteer if they have unprocessed grief from the loss of a loved one. Volunteers must not have experienced a significant loss in the past year. They must not be under active treatment for a life-threatening illness or caring for someone with a life-threatening illness.

Volunteers go into the homes of patients and may encounter unpleasant sights or smells or difficult family dynamics. Please note that volunteers will not be asked to go into situations deemed to be unsafe.

Why volunteer for hospice?

Volunteering for hospice is both challenging and rewarding. Through this type of volunteer work, you can make a positive impact at the end of an individual’s life when they need help the most. You can also create relationships with others in your community while learning more about the healthcare field.

“While death and dying are often conversations shied away from in daily conversation, they are a part of the life cycle,” Almon said. “Hospice volunteers are part of a multidisciplinary team that works together to ensure the end-of-life process is addressed in a way that maintains the dignity and worth of the dying individual while offering ongoing support to their loved ones.”

To volunteer, individuals should contact Almon at 970-826-8252 or Melissa.almon@memorialrh.org.