Hospice Volunteers are a compassionate, caring people from all walks of life and ages who want to make a difference in the lives of terminally ill people and their families. It may be as simple as listening to their life stories, watching T.V. with them, reading to them, maybe even doing some light cleaning and cooking. Above all, it is being that 'listening ear' at one of the most difficult times in their, and their family’s lives. Volunteers do NO hands-on patient care.
Another way volunteers might help is to offer 'respite' care. This is simply sitting with the patient so the caregiver can get away for a few hours. Again, this is not care giving; if a need arises while the Volunteer is in the home, you would call the office to get a clinical caregiver over to your location. In a board & care or skilled nursing facility, you would simply contact the available staff.
As referenced above, Volunteers go to private homes (always being introduced in person by the Volunteer Coordinator or other hospice employee first) and also to skilled nursing facilities and board & cares for patient visits, wherever the patient calls ‘home’.
You will receive training prior to being assigned to patients. We do a background check, physical and drug test, all at our cost. We hope that you can Volunteer 2 – 4 hours a month.
We have patients in your area and you would choose the areas you are comfortable driving to and Destiny hospice will reimburse you for your mileage.