Becoming a hospice volunteer is a rewarding experience. Hospice volunteers have a tremendous impact on the lives of the patients, caregivers, and families they serve, and many hospice volunteers discover that their service leads to a deeply meaningful experience. Hospice volunteers, particularly those who work directly with patients and families, commonly report:

• A greater appreciation for life and understanding of what is truly important;
• A deeper understanding and acceptance of the role of death in the process of life;
• An enriched understanding of different cultures and life perspectives;
• A meaningful relationship with patients and their families;
• A sense of fulfillment and connection to the community.

Hospice volunteers play many different roles and are an integral part of every hospice organization. They can serve patients and families as part of a team of medical professionals, provide administrative support, participate in community outreach programs, or lend their professional expertise in areas needed by the hospice organization and patients. Volunteer activities are generally categorized into direct services and indirect services.

Direct Services

1. Support for patients - Direct service volunteers spend time with hospice patients. Services provided by volunteers can include visiting, reading, taking walks, and writing letters. Sitting with patients provides companionship and a comforting presence. Playing the patient’s favorite games adds fun and enjoyment to life. Playing music for patients can provide a soothing and joyful atmosphere. Some hospices utilize volunteers who offer complementary therapies such as massage therapy, aroma therapy, or therapeutic touch. Volunteers are a vital part of the hospice care team and help keep hospice staff informed of patient needs.
2. Support for caregivers and family members - Family members are often the primary care providers for patients, and hospice volunteers can be helpful in a variety of ways. Some common ways include: providing comfort and support to family members; spending time with the patient, allowing caregivers the opportunity to take care of necessary errands, exercise, or simply have some time alone; running helpful errands; preparing meals for patients and families; providing transportation to patients, families, and the children of the families; assisting in light household chores; and helping care for the family pet.
3. Child care assistance - Sometimes families need help with child care. This can include help with babysitting, picking up children from school, or providing transportation to club meetings, sporting events, and practices.
4. Bereavement programs – Volunteers often develop a close bond with family members and can provide bereavement support for up to thirteen months after the patient has passed away. Hospice volunteers can also work with the hospice’s bereavement staff. Duties may include assisting a support group facilitator, serving refreshments, or helping with mailings to families.
5. Special skills and interests – Notaries, barbers, and beauticians often volunteer their services to patients.
6. Music therapy – Many hospice patients love listening to music. If you play an instrument, you’ll bring your instrument with you when visiting patients. You can play some of your favorite songs and also take requests from the patient.
7. Pet therapy – Animals have many proven benefits for hospice patients. Cuddling with a pet can lower a patient’s blood pressure, reduce physical pain, and increase levels of overall comfort. The hospice organization will typically train both you and your pet in the best ways to interact with patients.

Indirect services

Volunteers who provide indirect services have just as important a role in a hospice organization as volunteers who work directly with patients. These volunteers assist the hospice organization in many ways.

1. Fundraising and administrative assistance – If you have previously worked in an office, administrative volunteering could be a good choice for you. You’ll be able to use the skills you’ve learned in your previous jobs to help the hospice care organization with their day-to-day tasks. If you haven’t done any administrative work before, don’t worry—your hospice organization will provide you with training before you begin. Common tasks where indirect care volunteers provide assistance are: answering telephones; helping prepare mailings, thank-you letters, and newsletters for community outreach; assisting with data entry, copying, and filing; contacting donors; and helping prepare and setup for community events.
2. Professional assistance – The services of attorneys, clergy, medical professionals, social workers, fundraisers, and other professionals are always welcome and needed at hospices. Many hospices utilize volunteers to maintain their grounds and landscaping.

Effective hospice volunteers recognize that their role is one of compassionate service. The presence and service of hospice volunteers is targeted towards ultimately providing patients, caregivers, and families with the most comfortable and compassionate end-of-life experience possible. Though each volunteer is unique, there are several common traits that are indicative of an effective hospice volunteer:

• A spirit of compassion and understanding towards those who are on the end-of-life journey;
• Respect for all ways of life, cultural customs, and religious views;
• The ability to listen and be comfortable in silence.

Most hospices organizations require volunteers to be over the age of 18 or 21, but some have volunteer programs for high school students. Indiana law requires that hospice organizations perform a national criminal background check on a potential volunteer, usually at the hospice's expense. A hospice may require volunteers to have a valid driver's license, particularly if the volunteer will be traveling to patient homes. Most hospices require newly bereaved volunteer candidates to wait for a period of time before volunteering at the bedside. In addition, volunteers will be required to complete an application form, an interview, and a training program before service can begin.

Hospice Volunteer Training

Hospice volunteers must complete a training program to prepare them for hospice work. Training will vary in length and content depending on the role the volunteer is taking. During the training, volunteers will be able to ask questions and get to know the people who work in the hospice organization. Hospice volunteers may be required to complete continuing education each year. Though each hospice organization has a unique training program, most hospice volunteer training includes information about the following:

1. The hospice philosophy of care and the services offered by the hospice organization;
2. The spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of a patient and the patient’s family during the end-of-life journey;
3. Ethical issues at the end-of-life;
4. Patient confidentiality and health information privacy;
5. Appropriate boundaries between volunteers, patients, and families;
6. Family dynamics;
7. Effective ways to communicate with and provide support to patients and their loved ones;
8. Ways to assist patients and family with grief and loss;
9. Advanced directives and organ donation;
10. Universal precautions;
11. Pain management;
12. Stress management;
13. Dementia/Alzheimer's;
14. Funerals and cremation;
15. Community resources.

For those interested in becoming a hospice volunteer, the first step is to connect with local hospice organizations.

• The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) has a helpful resource to help you find hospice organizations near you.
  FIND A HOSPICE NEAR YOU.
• The Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association also maintains a list of hospice providers serving Putnam County.
  LIST OF PUTNAM COUNTY HOSPICE PROVIDERS.

Visit each hospice's website to learn more about their volunteer program. Call each hospice and speak with the volunteer coordinator. The coordinator can provide details about their specific needs to determine where your skills and interests will be a good fit. The coordinator can also provide you with specific information about the process and requirements of becoming a hospice volunteer for that organization.

Articles

Doulas For The Dying - [pdf article]
Hospice workers find peace in helping patients find comfort at end of life - [pdf article]
More Americans Are Dying At Home - [pdf article]
Patients want to be at home, but home hospice care can be tough on families - [pdf article]
Preparing for approaching death - [pdf article]
When the time comes, could you let go and die? - [pdf article]
Working with the dying patient - [pdf article]

Movies and Videos

Amazon Prime movies related to dying – list of movies - [pdf]
Being Mortal by Atul Gawande - video - [pdf instructions]
Consider the Conversation - video - [pdf instructions]