How Important Are Volunteers To Hospice?

At Hospice of the North Coast, we believe our volunteers are the “heart” of hospice.  Through the compassionate caring of volunteers, so many terminally ill patients and their families are helped every day.  Volunteers are as important to hospice as they are to every other event in life.  They are thoughtful and caring individuals who take time from their daily lives to help others in need.

VOLUNTEERS FROM A HOSPICE EXPERIENCE

Often, family members who have gone through the process of losing a loved one and have seen what a huge difference hospice care can make in that end-of-life transition, for both the loved one and family members, take it upon themselves to volunteer.  It is put upon their hearts to help others as they have been helped.  There is a “One Year Rule” in place that asks volunteers, if they have suffered through a loss of their own, to wait one year before offering to provide support directly to patients.  Personal grief must be dealt with first before the soul and spirit can aid in comfort of another.

PATIENT CARE VOLUNTEERS

These volunteers work directly with patients and their families, offering a compassionate presence and lending an ear to listen.  They are an integral part of the hospice care team and they can offer assistance with light tasks as-needed besides being a comforting presence.

VET TO VET VOLUNTEERS

These volunteers are specially matched – veterans to veterans – due to the natural bond that is created by those who have served in the military.  No matter the branch, a common language of sorts can be more easily understood by another who has experienced similar life events.

NO ONE DIES ALONE VOLUNTEERS

When there is no family left, no one to sit by the bedside during a terminally ill patient’s final hours, this special group of volunteers offers that final companionship.

Volunteers can also come from other life journeys: compassionate individuals upon whom has been bestowed a sense, a desire to give back to others in the world.  All volunteers are extremely important to the mission of hospice work.  Yes, they are truly the “heart” of hospice, and the extra care they can provide very often makes a very significant difference in people’s lives.