The Role of Volunteers in Hospice Care Hello, We are honored that you have entrusted your care or the care of your loved one with us. We are committed to ensuring the best care and are proud to have a team of dedicated, compassionate, and highly trained people to serve you. As a part of your care, we have volunteers who are available to you and can provide the additional support and assistance that you may need during your time with us. We often hear how our volunteers make a positive difference in our patients and their families’ lives. Our volunteers go through an extensive screening and training process and are skilled to help you in many ways. Among many things that they can do for you, they are able to provide companionship, be a supportive presence, offer respite to caregivers, and run errands for you and your family. Volunteers are assigned to a patient and their family and generally come to your place of residence one time a week for up to four hours per visit. Once assigned, we ask that you let your volunteer know how they can best help you. Although our volunteers can do many things in your home, they are not able to administer over the counter or prescription medications. Here are some guidelines to help you plan your time when your volunteer is with you in the event that medication needs to be administered. • • •
If medication is needed by the patient during the caregiver’s absence, the caregiver may pre-pour and place it within the reach of the patient so he/she can take their own medication. Volunteers may guide patient’s hand to a cup or remind a patient to take their medication, pour water, or note the time that the medication was taken. In the event that a patient cannot take their medication on their own, please have a contingency plan in place that designates a person responsible for administering the medications. You will need to provide the name and contact person to the volunteer.
We are privileged that you have chosen us to walk alongside you in your journey and strive to provide you the best care during this time. Because many of our volunteers have been former caregivers, they truly understand what you are experiencing. If you would like the services of a volunteer, please ask your primary nurse or social worker for a referral. With their willingness to serve and their compassionate heart, they can be the support and help that you may need to make things a bit better or the load a little lighter for you and your family. We hope that you will invite a volunteer into your home and experience the benefit of having them be a part of your care. Sincerely,
Christine Wilson Director of Advancement and Volunteer Services
FINAL 2/16/2021
