Respite Visit Volunteer

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Respite visit volunteers provide regularly scheduled visits with the patient and/or the patient's family. Offer the gift of time to family members of patients in hospice who face the ever-present challenge of care giving. Hospice respite volunteers offer short-term (1-4 hours) respite care to patients, allowing caregivers to take a break, run errands, nap, etc.

Qualifications: Patience, compassion, flexibility, dependability, and good active listening skills are needed. Volunteers need to be able to establish and maintain boundaries. The volunteer must be able to put the patient's interests first. Being well grounded and possessing good common sense are important.

Time Commitment: Generally, visits are made 1-2 times a month and are 1-4 hours in length. We ask that volunteers commit at least two hours a month.

Location: Patient visits take place in the home of the patient whether it is a private residence, assisted living facility, or nursing home.

Benefits: The benefit of helping others who are not able to repay you is priceless. Complete training is given to volunteers to address all aspects of patient care. The Volunteer Coordinator will attend the first visit with each volunteer and will be available for any questions or concerns. Continuing education in end-of-life issues is available to all volunteers.