Hospice Volunteers - Companion, Pet Therapy, Music Therapy, Reiki/Massage, Crafts - Toms River

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If you have an hour or more per week to give, Ascend Hospice welcomes your gifts of time and compassion. Whether you choose to work directly with patients and families or to volunteer in one of many other ways, you can make a profound difference in someone's life, including your own. Volunteers are an integral part of the hospice team. Volunteers are required to follow CDC guidelines and Ascend Hospice policies. All volunteers must be fully COVID 19 vaccinated and boosted. Volunteers will be provided hospice training and referrals for mandatory medical clearances.

Volunteer Opportunities:
Companionship Volunteers work directly with patients providing companionship, offering friendly visits, reading to patients, writing letters, offering a gentle touch or sharing a quiet moment.

Complementary Volunteers are certified/trained professionals who can provide complementary modalities of reflexology, music, Reiki, & massage.

Ascend Hospice is seeking certified Reiki practitioners to serve our end of life population in finding comfort, relaxation and peace during their final time with us. Reiki Certification is required.

Pet Therapy Volunteers provide companionship from our certified therapy dogs. Pet therapy provides numerous benefits like encouraging movement and physical stimulation and it provides mental benefits like socialization, mental stimulation, companionship, and unconditional love. Please consider sharing your loving pet with us and bring some much needed smiles. Pets must be certified as therapy animals by an organization like TDI Therapy Dogs International- www. Tdi-dog.org or Bright and Beautiful - www.golden-dogs.org.

Music Volunteers are volunteers who specialize in sharing songs or instrumental music with patients and their loved ones. Whether the Music Volunteer is sharing an existing musical skill or playing music via the radio or digital device, the goal is to enhance the quality of life of our patients.

Craft Volunteers consist of individuals or groups who touch patients in a special way by making lap blankets, Tactile blankets, shawls, memory bears and other articles for patients to enjoy.

Bereavement Volunteers offer support to the families of patients who have passed. During the grieving process the bereavement volunteer can be a valuable resource, especially for those who lack a solid support network. They often make phone calls to check up on family members and also send cards of comfort and care.

For more information about our free volunteer training and available opportunities, call our Volunteer Department or visit our website at Ascendhospice.com! We look forward to hearing from you!