Hospice Patient Care Volunteer

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Visiting Volunteers are people who work directly with Hospice patients and their families. These people come to us from all walks of life and with a variety of skills and knowledge to offer. All Visiting Volunteers must attend our volunteer training course which introduces them to the concepts of palliative care and helps to prepare them for their work with hospice clients. The volunteer role depends on the wishes of the client and family in keeping with the Hospice Philosophy of being "client centered". Volunteers are companions -- friends during a time of need. In fact, volunteers provide important services beyond medical care, such as personal grooming, reading to a patient or providing the caregiver with some time off. Volunteers are the most important direct link between the hospice patient and our hospice. No task is too big or too small for a hospice volunteer, but often the most important thing they can do is just "be there" for patients to reassure them they are not alone, to hold a hand, to offer a smile, or to just listen. It is not easy work, but the personal rewards are enormous. The strength and courage of patients provide a constant source of inspiration, and volunteers usually feel they gain more than they have been able to give.