Caregivers / Companions for Hospice Residents

Circle Home is a nonprofit comfort care home located in Kingston, NY that supports two residents at a time in a comfortable, home-like environment at the end of their life. We are currently looking for compassionate Resident Caregiver volunteers to provide hands-on care, companionship, and emotional support.

What is a Comfort Care Home?

Circle Home is considered a 'social model' hospice, which is a home based in the community that provides round-the-clock care for residents when dying in their own home is not an option. We are not a medical facility, but rather a 'surrogate family' for our residents, with medical support provided by Hudson Valley Hospice.

What is a Resident Caregiver?

Caregivers interact directly with our residents, helping them with mealtimes and personal hygiene, repositioning for comfort, providing other hands-on care services, and offering friendly companionship, as well as support to their families and visitors.

Do I need Hospice or Healthcare experience?

No experience is necessary! Just compassion and a desire to help others at the end of life. We provide thorough training and ongoing support to all volunteers, assuring them confidence in performing any necessary tasks.

What can I expect to do as a Resident Caregiving Volunteer?

• Assist with basic personal care such as bathing, oral care, toileting, skin care, ambulation, hair brushing, etc. Help transfer residents or assist them in walking to the bathroom, etc.
• Engage in active listening
• Provide companionship and emotional support
• Read or play music at the bedside
• Sit in silence
• Hold hands
• Assist with eating and drinking
• Spend time together outside in the garden

Other possible activities, as needed:

• Meal preparation and household tasks
• Facilitate (depending on experience and interest) healing and contemplative arts, including music, art/crafts, massage therapy, aromatherapy, flower arranging, meditation, etc.

We ask our volunteers to commit to:

• Providing emotional and physical support to our residents
• Completing the initial 3-part volunteer training
• Embracing and carrying out the mission and vision of the Circle Home
• Volunteering for at least two 4-hour shifts per month

To learn more, or to apply for this role, please go to

circlehome.org/resident-caregiving or email volunteer@circlehome.org