Bring Relief and Peace of Mind Directly to a Local Family- Mattoon, IL

At Transitions, we believe that exceptional hospice care means supporting both the patient and the loved ones caring for them around the clock. Family caregivers give everything to ensure their family member is comfortable, but they need time to rest, recharge, and take care of themselves to avoid burnout.

Through our Respite Volunteer program, you are matched with a hospice family in your immediate local area to offer essential relief. By stepping in for just a few hours a week, you give family caregivers the freedom to take a well-deserved break, knowing their loved one is safe, comfortable, and attended to.

"A few hours of rest for a caregiver can restore their strength and bring peace to an entire home."

💬 What You Will Do as a Respite Volunteer

Because this is a strictly non-medical, non-clinical role, your activities focus entirely on human connection and permitted socialization boundaries:

• Caregiver Relief: Staying with the patient so their spouse, adult child, or primary caregiver can safely step away to nap, run errands, attend personal appointments, or clear their mind.
• Quiet Bedside Presence: Offering reassuring, non-intrusive company—holding a hand or sitting quietly—so the patient is safe and secure while their loved one is away.
• Light Companion Engagement: Sharing stories, reading the newspaper or a favorite book aloud, listening to music, or playing low-energy games based on the patient's comfort level.
• Peace of Mind: Creating a calm environment that allows family members to take a truly stress-free break.

👥 Who Makes an Ideal Companionship Volunteer?

• Dependable & Empathetic: You bring warmth, patience, and absolute reliability—families depend on your scheduled presence so they can plan their respite time.
• Boundary-Minded: You strictly respect non-clinical volunteer limits. You will never administer medications, perform physical lifting, feed, or handle personal hygiene—our professional medical staff manages all clinical care.
• Consistent: You can commit to regular visits (typically 2–4 hours per week) at times that fit your schedule.
• Onboarding Ready: You are willing to complete a background check, drug screening, and a TB test (all provided at zero cost by Transitions).

🛠️ Training & Support Provided

We ensure you feel completely safe, confident, and prepared before your first visit:

• Comprehensive, free hospice respite training designed to build your confidence and outline volunteer safety boundaries.
• Personalized matching by our Volunteer Coordinator to connect you with families close to your home.
• Ongoing guidance and continuous backing from our dedicated clinical team.