Never underestimate the power of an act of kindness. It often makes a dramatic difference although you may not realize it at the moment. Our hospice volunteers find their positions rewarding, knowing they have helped others. But what does a hospice volunteer do? 

We’ll discuss the role of volunteers at 3HC and let you know how you can become one. 

What Does a Hospice Volunteer Do?

Hospice care plays an invaluable role in supporting individuals facing life-limiting illnesses and their families. While our healthcare professionals provide essential medical services, hospice volunteers offer a unique kind of support that goes beyond medical treatment. 

While the specific duties of a hospice volunteer centers around each individual’s skills and abilities, the following is a general overview of what you can expect as a hospice volunteer.

Provide Companionship

Dealing with a life-limiting illness is often an isolating situation. Our volunteers at 3HC not only offer a comforting presence, but they listen. They allow patients to share their fears, memories, and emotions. By establishing genuine connections, hospice volunteers provide solace to patients and alleviate their feelings of loneliness. 

Assist With Daily Activities

Depending upon the patient’s diagnosis, everyday tasks can present huge challenges. Hospice volunteers may assist patients with various activities of daily living, such as:

• Helping with personal grooming
• Providing respite care for family members.

These tasks aim to promote independence and help patients maintain a sense of normalcy during the course of their illness. 

Provide Practical Support

The cornerstone of what a hospice volunteer does is the practical support that they can give both the patient and family. These tasks may include:

• Running errands
• Grocery shopping
• Performing basic administrative tasks

By relieving some of the burdens associated with daily responsibilities, hospice volunteers enable families to focus on spending quality time with their loved ones.

Help With Vigil Support

You may not be familiar with vigil support. This occurs during a patient’s final moments of life. During this time, hospice volunteers offer a calming, supportive presence for families. Volunteers offer emotional support, assist with comfort measures, and provide a sense of solace during the patient’s transition.

What Training and Qualifications Do You Need to Volunteer at 3HC?

We provide extensive training programs for those who would like to volunteer and make a difference in the final moments of a patient’s life. Through this program, you’ll be better suited to understanding what a hospice volunteer does. 

We do have a few requirements to become a volunteer. They are:

• Completing an application
• Completing our training program
• Passing a background check
• Having reliable transportation
• Being at least 18 years of age
• Providing a list of references
• Complying with 3HC rules and regulations
• Understanding the importance of infection prevention techniques

Our training program will help refine the skills you need to be an effective volunteer and transform the experience of those in hospice care. We do not require previous experience in healthcare or caregiving. 

Our training and orientation will cover topics such as:

• Empathy
• Cultural sensitivity
• Effective communication
• Understanding grief
• Maintaining boundaries

These are essential qualities in a hospice volunteer.

Why Is Hospice Volunteering Important?

The contributions made by hospice volunteers have a profound impact on our patients, their families, and the healthcare team. They dramatically enhance the patient’s quality of life during those final months. 

While we’ve previously discussed many of the ways volunteers make a difference, it’s vital to understand that, at 3HC, we treat all of our hospice patients as if they were family. 

This is a principle that is very important to all of us. That’s why we want to reduce any feelings of isolation as much as possible. It’s vital that patients understand they are not alone. We have an entire healthcare team to support them—and volunteers are a huge part of that team. 

Hospice volunteers complement the care provided by healthcare professionals, offering a holistic approach that addresses the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients and their families.

Ready to Make a Difference? Apply to Volunteer with 3HC Home Care and Hospice

Hospice volunteers play an invaluable role in the lives of patients and families facing end-of-life challenges. Their compassionate presence, emotional support, and practical assistance create a positive impact during a time of vulnerability and uncertainty. In this article, we’ve explored several facets of what a hospice volunteer does.

Do you believe in the spirit of volunteerism and making a difference in your community? We’d love to have you join our family of healthcare professionals, social workers, chaplains, and other volunteers.

All you have to do is complete this application to get started.