Thinking about volunteering at my local hospice, anything I should know?

Question

I derive great meaning and enrichment from forming connections with individuals in my life. In addition, when I'm alone, I feel an emptiness and a great need to be comforted or to comfort. I'm thinking about volunteering at my local hospice, is there anything I should know before I make the call?

Answer 1

My mom is a hospice nurse.  She absolutely loves it.  She likes when people volunteer their time with the elderly; she says she can tell a huge difference when one of her patients have been visited by volunteers.  She often makes up some time of her own and go to see her patients when she does not have to.  These people are very loving. But also remember that some of them are often sick or mentally ill.  Most of the time you might have to play along after being called one of their  long lost cousins.  They are sweet people, but just have a positive attitude and a open mouth(they love to talk).  

Try reading some material on the subjects of elderly care, etc.  They have alot of great info that will prepare you.  Some of them might die suddenly.  It's all apart of God's will!!!  Just keep that in mind and you will do fine.  

Thanks for taking your time and considering this as an option for you.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

The 3rd poster had good advice. One thing is that people go to hospices to die. You will form good friendships with some/many of the patients and because they're there to die, you have to be prepared to lose new friends. My brother used to work at a hospice and after he lost two people who he'd become good friends with, he quit and found a job elsewhere. He couldn't handle his friends dying. Just be aware of how you deal with death/dying/illness yourself and be prepared.

Answer 3

It can be very difficult watching people die and the family grieve but it can also be rewarding. You must be able to handle grief and loss.

Answer 4

Hi.  I am a hospice volunteer.  That you ask is good and I suggest you give your local hospice, preferably a non-profit,  a call and talk with the volunteer coordinator.   He/She will be thrilled to talk to you and explain what it entails.

Volunteering for hospice is not for everyone and our hospice holds a volunteer information night just to provide Q&A for people just like you.

Understand though that you will likely be provided training before you are allowed to make visits to patients.

Just be open.

Answer 5

You must be willing to commit at least 6 months, so make sure you can give that much time. Volunteering is a good thing but you must realize that volunteering shouldn't be about you and your needs it's about giving to those in need. If you are feeling a void because you are lonely then maybe you should consider joining a group or an oganization.

On the other hand if you in fact do enjoy helping others then by all means make the call. They will first give you all the details you need to know so after obtaining all the information you will know yourself if it's a place for you.