Volunteering for Hospice

Hundreds of area residents volunteer for Hospice to offer support and encouragement to seriously ill patients and their families. They receive specialized training to prepare them to help during times of crisis or stress—and they experience life-changing moments during their time helping in Hospice.

Volunteers help in many ways, including:
* Providing support to patients and families during and after episodes of terminal illness
* Giving temporary relief to family members who must be away from home for brief periods of time
* Visiting patients at home, in a nursing home, or in a hospice inpatient unit
* Reading to patients or helping to write letters
* Helping with errands, grocery shopping and meal preparation.

“Most hospice volunteers choose to give their time helping others because of their own experiences with the compassionate care hospice provided to a family member or friend,” says Diana Becker, hospice volunteer coordinator In Newark.

Volunteer Training

People who are not familiar with hospice care sometimes assume that this volunteer work takes place in a setting of gloom and despair. Yet, Becker explains, “Hospice volunteers all know how the time they spend with terminal patients can be filled with hope, dignity, and love.”

Hospice volunteer training explores the physical, spiritual and psychosocial aspects of how you can help people at the end of life. There is no charge to register for training, and the formal application process can be started in advance so new volunteers can begin their service as soon as they complete training.

For more information about Lifetime Care’s next hospice volunteer training session, please call Kathy Gresko at (585) 475-8800 or Diana Becker at (315) 332-4020

Volunteers of Many Ages

We welcome volunteers of all ages. Our Youth Volunteer Program involves teen-agers in a variety of activities that support families of Hospice patients. Other volunteers help in the Hospice office, including those who make phone calls to people who have recently lost a loved one.

To experience the rewards of being a Hospice Volunteer, call a Volunteer Coordinator to ask about the next scheduled training session. You can reach a Coordinator at from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

Rochester: (585) 214-1444
Newark: (315) 331-7990