Hospice Volunteer - Companionship, Safety & Vigil Support

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Hospice Care is end-of-life care; true. But that doesn't mean each day needs to be dark and gloomy.

You, as a Vitality Hospice Volunteer, will be assigned to a patient or two, to enrich their remaining months, weeks and days by sharing their journey. You will learn who they are and figure out how best to share your time together. Some will engage in chit-cha, and you'll hear about a life lived. You can help others still participate in group activities, if they are in a facility. Some will need your time to keep them safe from themselves, as you redirect and distract them, so they don't get up and walk when they have lost that ability, but forget that they did. Others will just want someone to watch TV with them, so, for a few moments, they are not alone. And, when the transition is close, continuing the idea that they are not alone, you can spend quiet time with them as they do what they need to, to let go.

In a nutshell, in this volunteer activity, you're giving of your time, to be with, and support, another person who, for one reason or another, can use a buddy.

Most of our patients are in a facility setting and can have any kind of end-of-life disease, including cancer, heart issues, lung issues, but many will have some form of dementia.

Family caregivers in a private home setting can use your time, too, to be with their loved-one, so they can leave the situation for a few hours, knowing that you’ll be there for the patient.

If you have time to be there for another person, please respond to this post. I'll send you an email with more information so you can decide if this is an activity that you want to develop.

I will say here, that you need to be at least 18 years old, and that this is a long-term volunteering activity, meaning you should have several months to a year to give, at least 1 hour a week. Also, you do not need a healthcare background (volunteers do NOT do hands-on care); you just need to be a caring, patient and flexible person to adapt to people and situations that can change rapidly.

Visits can happen during the week, or on the weekend, and can happen at almost any time day. You can stay close to where you live, or drive as far as you want to, to make a difference in someone's life.

Most volunteers who do this a while, will say "I get more from it then they give!"

I hope you'll be saying that soon, too!

Respond to this post to get more information.