Seeking kind hearts in SW Pennsylvania

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"Shirley was an inspiration to me. I will miss talking to her," read the note from volunteer Eleanor. Eleanor volunteers with hospice because she wanted to give back for the care her husband received during his illness.

She'd made calls to Shirley for many months before her passing. In her call notes Eleanor paints a picture of Shirley as a loving mother and grandmother, and someone who enjoyed gardening.

After Shirley's passing we received a call from her daughter. She wanted to talk to Eleanor so she could thank her personally for being a highpoint for her mom each week. She said Shirley recognized Eleanor's voice instantly and was always happy talking to her new friend. "That meant the world to us," she said.

Hospice volunteers are so many things to our patients and their caregivers. They are the person calling bingo at the nursing home, the one who made them a handmade birthday card, participated in a pinning ceremony to honor their military service, and, like Eleanor, let them talk about their lives. But this is just a tiny fraction of what there is to do as a volunteer.

The hairdresser or barber who wants to give back, the massage therapist, or pet therapist, and other professionals who volunteer with us bring back a little sense of normalcy to homebound patients. Think how you feel after a hair cut or massage. It is such a gift to someone who is on hospice to be able to have that feeling.

"Norma was doing well. She said her sister was going to make Thanksgiving dinner and the family would just come and pick up food," noted Stephen, a student volunteer. "She's so sweet." For six months Stephen has been a weekly fixture at Amedisys, coming two times a week to make visits and phone calls. It started as part of his credit work for school. It's turned into something he does because he said, "I am getting back as much as I am giving."

We hope that you see yourself in one of these descriptions and find it in your heart to enhance someone's end-of-life journey. You do not have to have any special skills. You simply have to have a kind heart and the ability to truly hear what someone is saying.
You don't have to make in-person visits. In fact, you don't have to have direct patient interaction at all. Our administrative volunteers make a tremendous impact by preparing mailings and putting together nursing packets for our team. Once a volunteer application has been approved we can find something to fit your talents.

Please note:

Employees and volunteers who spend time in our office, and/or in-person with patients, are required to wear medical-grade face masks. These will be provided as necessary.
A 6-feet distance is adhered to when meeting face-to-face, both in and out of the office, when representing Amedisys Hospice.
The minimum age to volunteer with Amedisys is 18 unless parental consent is provided.

Volunteers must live in Greene, Fayette, or Washington counties in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Unless an exemption is obtained through Amedisys for the Covid-19 vaccination, all volunteers and employees are required to be vaccinated. Exemption request forms will be made available upon request.