Hospice volunteers offer terminally ill patients and their families comfort, support and companionship.
What Does a Hospice Volunteer Do?
Hospice volunteers can choose to do any number of things, including:
- Visit patients to provide companionship and support
- Caregiver respite-provide the caregiver a personal break by sitting with patient and allowing caregiver free time to spend as they wish
- Provide grief support to families after the loss of loved one
- Use special talents such as quilting, crafting, etc. to create gifts for patients
- Administrative duties to assist the hospice team
- Record the story of a patient’s life
- Help patients journal their life and experiences
- Engage patients through reading books or playing simple card and board games
- Play an instrument for or sing to/with patients
- Deliver flowers to patient/families
- Telephone support (from your own home)
- Support fundraising efforts
Who Can Volunteer?
Caring individuals age 18 and older, who have:
- Submitted a completed application
- Passed a criminal background check
- Completed hospital orientation
- Passed a TB skin test
- Completed our training program
What is covered in the training?
- History and philosophy of hospice
- Patient/family dynamics
- Communication skills
- Grief and bereavement
- Death and dying/spiritual awareness
- Safety
- Physical aspects of dying
- The role of the volunteer
How Can I Become a Hospice Volunteer?
Download an application.
Apply online.
Complete and submit the application to:
Volunteer Coordinator
Halifax Regional Hospice and Palliative Care
2204 Wilborn Ave.
South Boston, VA 24592
If you have questions, please call 434.517.3058.