The Many Faces of Hospice Volunteers

Article submitted by Sue May, Admissions and Marketing Coordinator of Canon Hospice.
For more information, she can be reached at 504-818-2723.

Volunteers are a very important part of the hospice interdisciplinary team. They provide essential services in all levels of hospice care. Each volunteer brings to Hospice valuable skills and unique talents.

When a patient is at home, the Hospice Volunteer can assist by running errands, doing yard work, sitting with the patient so the caregiver can take a break, or even just making a "check in" phone call. Volunteers that come to Hospice often have had family members in Hospice Care. By sharing their experiences, they can often help ease the concerns and anxieties of other Hospice families.

On the Inpatient Hospice Unit, the volunteers greet visitors and provide support and assistance to the Hospice patient and family. Some volunteers have offered their musical talents to entertain the patients and provide the soothing comfort that music can bring. When a patient is in the nursing home or in an assisted living center, the volunteer can just be a friendly visitor who provides companionship to the hospice patient.

Pastoral Care volunteers meet with home and inpatient Hospice patients and families to provide support, comfort, and be a friend. They work directly with the Hospice Chaplain to nourish the spiritual needs of patients and families. The bereavement counselor performs his/her duties with the assistance of a volunteer staff. The volunteers assist with phone calls, mail outs, and coordination of a memorial services.

Some volunteers prefer to do office work and can assist with answering telephones and provide support to the clerical staff. Community education about the Hospice philosophy is a major goal for hospice agencies. The volunteer can participate by working at health fairs held in the community. The volunteer can also help with fund raising events and in a yearly children's bereavement camp.

It is obvious the Hospice volunteer can serve in many ways. Interested parties may contact one of the New Orleans area hospices or call Jerry Pessas at 504-818-2723.