4 Reasons to Become a Hospice Volunteer

If you’re looking for a new way to serve your community, volunteering with Crossroads Hospice and Palliative Care is a great place to start. Hospice volunteers find the experience to be rewarding and uplifting as they see the difference they make in the lives of terminally-ill patients in their community.

Why You Should Volunteer with Hospice

1. Make a meaningful difference. Hospice volunteers are an essential part of the team providing terminally-ill patients with extra attention and comfort. Visits from volunteers offer companionship and someone new to talk to. They also allow family caregivers the opportunity for a much-needed break to run errands or take a nap knowing there is someone spending quality time with their loved one.
2. There are many volunteer roles available. Our volunteer managers work with prospective hospice volunteers to find just the right match for their time and talents. Volunteers can read to patients, play music, or just talk. We even welcome friendly, well-behaved pets to be part of the volunteer team. Hospice volunteers can spend time with patients directly or support them by assisting with administrative work in our office. We are also looking for those who love to write/create to create life journals for the families to cherish for years to come.
3. Volunteering is good for you. Volunteering provides a sense of purpose and positive self-esteem. Studies have shown that volunteering also has positive physical health benefits. Volunteers tend to walk more and have less stress. Volunteering also fights depression by increasing social interactions. In short, when you volunteer, it’s good for you and your community.
4. You learn a lot. As a hospice volunteer, you’ll learn a lot about how to support individuals with serious and terminal illness. You also may discover hidden talents you didn’t know you had.

While all of this is positive for yourself and the patient, it can also look good on a resume. This is especially true for those planning a career in healthcare or social work. But even if you work in another field, employers appreciate having team members who give back to their community.

To learn more about becoming a volunteer, please reach out to a Crossroads Hospice volunteer manager near you by calling 330-899-9100.