A Variety of Opportunities to Be Involved

Our energetic, patient-focused volunteers are integral members of our hospice team. All volunteers are provided training and an opportunity to identify the kind of volunteer contribution they are most comfortable with.

Please Note: Not all volunteer opportunities may be available at every location. Some assignments, such as those that require direct patient contact, may require additional training and a valid driver’s license.

Direct Patient Care Volunteers

Activities may include:

• Visiting with a patient living in their home to provide respite for caregivers and companionship for the patient.
• Visiting with patients whose home is a nursing facility and providing companionship and emotional support.
• Providing a listening ear for both patient and caregivers.
• Providing support to the patient and family through music, conversation, or the recording of a patient’s memories.
• Providing animal-assisted therapy visits for patients who desire the companionship of a certified therapy animal.
• Honoring a fellow military Veteran patient through our American Pride^® Veteran Care by Ohio’s Hospice program.
• Providing transportation to medical or other appointments, running errands and delivering supplies and medications.
• Providing haircuts to patients as a cosmetologists or barber.
• Providing patients with a quiet presence during the final hours of life as a vigil volunteer, so no one dies alone.

Non-Direct Patient Care Volunteers

Activities may include:

• Assisting in our office with general office duties.
• Participating in fundraising and community education.
• Assisting with building and grounds maintenance tasks.
• Making keepsake items for patients and loved ones as part of a craft group.
• Celebrating a patient’s birthday by baking a cake.
• Creating a Memory Bear from an article of clothing of a loved one.
• Assisting our bereavement support team by reaching out to families after a patient’s death.
• Representing Ohio’s Hospice as a Community Ambassador as part of the Speaker’s Bureau, telling community groups about our services.

Required Training:

Each volunteer interested in working in direct and non-direct supportive services with Ohio’s Hospice must attend a training that includes:

• An introduction to hospice history and philosophy.
• Information on patient rights.
• Communication techniques.
• The volunteer roles and responsibilities on the hospice team.
• Comfort measures.
• The grieving process and how to help.
• Spiritual needs of the dying and their families and friends.
• The emotional and social needs of a family impacted by terminal illness.

Our volunteer team is coordinated by three offices around the state. For more information, call: 800.653.4490, ext. 7