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Your gift is your presence.
No matter who you are, you've got something to offer to Hospice patients. Typically, the needs are simple companionship and friendship, emotional support, someone to listen-but the small things you do can make enormous difference in someone's life.

Volunteering takes many forms. You can assist patients by reading, writing letters, playing music, or just sitting quietly. You might help to organize appointments, prepare a meal, provide respite for a primary caregiver, or just walk the dog. You could also offer your computer skills in our office and assist with special projects.

Professionals of any kind might consider donating time and expertise for community outreach, volunteer education, recruiting volunteers or coordinating a function. Professional affiliates such as clergy members, attorneys, and accountants can provide services to patients and families.

Learn From Hospice Advantage: Comprehensive training.
As a Hospice Advantage volunteer, a 21-hour training course will prepare you to offer your vital support.

Volunteers are supervised by a Volunteer Coordinator and supported by other members of the patient care team.

A far-reaching network of support.
Hospice Advantage's volunteers are an integral part of the hospice team.

Your previous experience with hospice can be of great help to others. Hospice Advantage welcomes patients, families, and caregivers to participate as volunteers in non- therapeutic activities such as public relations and administrative services. However, we do recommend that surviving family members and caregivers wait at least on year following a loved one's death to serve as direct patient care volunteer or in public relations activities.

The Hospice Care Movement.
Hospice care as we know is today dates back to the 1800's in Ireland . The first hospice in the united States opened in 1974 in New Haven , Connecticut . In was modeled after St. Christopher's Hospice founded by Cicely Saunders, a pioneer of the Hospice Movement, who brought dignity and respect to the treatment of terminally ill patients. In 1983, Hospices became eligible for Medicare reimbursement, providing federal funds to advance the hospice mission.

About Hospice Advantage.
Our Approach to hospice care creates a patient and family environment of hope, comfort, and dignity. This approach is extended through our volunteers, who can make an enormous difference in someone's life.

Hospice Advantage is a Medicare and Medicaid certified program providing superior end-of-life care services. Founded in 2004 to better serve the needs of terminally ill patients, Hospice advantage believes in "quality in living." Driven by patients' choices and the manner that they wish to live out their lives, we strive to establish the highest standard in hospice care.

For more information about the Hospice Advantage Volunteer Program, contact your local office (click here to go to the contact us page). We look forward to hearing from you.

Make a commitment to comfort others.
Somewhere, a retired mail carrier needs a shoulder to lean on while he walks to the grocery store. A Widow needs a willing listener as she recounts the blessings of her 50-year marriage. A sightless patient in a nursing home would delight in hearing a few pages of a book.

Hospice Advantage provides comfort and dignity to those with life- limiting illnesses. All you need to offer is yourself.

BE A HOSPICE VOLUNTEER!