Volunteers are special individuals who give up their time to help care for our hospice patients. They’re a vital part of the care team at iServe Hospice. Trying to pin down the role of a hospice volunteer is like searching for a needle in a haystack. They do pretty much everything!
What is a Hospice Volunteer?
A hospice volunteer does not have to be medically trained. In fact, most volunteers are there because they have experienced the death of a loved one in hospice or because they have a calling to provide comfort and companionship to those during the end stages of their lives.
All hospice volunteers are trained to ensure they are confident in their tasks and able to provide the highest level of care.
- The Role of a Hospice Volunteer. No two days are the same for a hospice volunteer, and they may find themselves providing physical care or even just helping out with important admin. Here are some of the roles volunteers can have at the hospice.
- Providing companionship. The social and emotional needs of hospice patients are just as important as the physical ones, and hospice volunteers are an invaluable source of companionship by reading to them, listening to music, watching TV together, or just sitting with them. This is especially beneficial for patients who are lonely or do not have family who visit often.
- Practical support. Volunteers can help lighten the load of the care team and caregivers. This can mean running errands to fetch bedding and collect groceries. Volunteers can help patients with grooming, changing bedding, transferring patients from their beds to other surfaces (if properly trained), and doing some light housekeeping.
- Administrative support. Many hospices will have volunteers helping out with administrative tasks as this is what keeps a hospice running smoothly. Volunteers can help with answering phones, filing and mailing, data entry and even help with fundraising events.
- Roles Volunteers Cannot Complete. Because hospice volunteers are not medically trained, they’re not a replacement for trained hospice staff like nurses.
This means they cannot do certain tasks like:- Cut nails or hair
- Administer medication, dress wounds, take vitals, or operate medical equipment
- Carry out mobility exercises or therapy
