Hospice Volunteers...

Do you want to make a
difference in the lives of terminally ill people?

What is Hospice?
Hospice is a comprehensive service that addresses the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the individuals and families who are dealing with a terminal illness.  Using a team approach, hospice focuses on comfort care and quality of life.  Volunteers are key elements of the hospice team. Click here for more information on hospice care and the hospice team concept.

Is Volunteering in Hospice for Me?
Some of the core qualities that hospice volunteers possess include:

• Compassion

• Good Listening Skills

• Flexibility

• Non-judgmental Attitude

• Emotional Maturity

In addition to the above qualities, hospice volunteers can not have experienced the loss of a loved one in the past year.

What Do Hospice Volunteers Do?
Every effort is made to utilize your specific interests and skills.  If you wish to donate your time performing a professional service, consideration will be given to this.  Some of the more common areas in which volunteers provide assistance include:

• Providing respite while the caregiver runs errands

• Offering companionship and socialization to the patient

• Reading or letter-writing

• Helping with light household chores

• Providing clerical support to the hospice team

• Assisting with fundraising efforts through Friends of Hospice*

* Friends of Hospice assists the Hospice of North Penn VNA by raising funds to cover unmet needs
of patients.  Funds are used to pay for home health assistance and supplies that patients would otherwise be unable to afford.

How Do I Get Started?
Hospice volunteers complete a personal interview and screening process, which includes a reference and criminal background check.  In addition, Hospice of North Penn VNA offers a 13-hour training series, free of charge.  Some of the topics covered include:

• History of Hospice

• Listening and Communication Skills

• Loss and Bereavement

• Role of the Hospice Volunteer

• Hospice Team Member Roles

• Spiritual Aspect of Dying

Upon completion of the training, you are considered ready for patient assignment.  You will be matched with a patient when a request is made that matches your schedule of availability. Ongoing training and support is available to ensure that you have a positive volunteer experience.

If you would like to become a hospice volunteer or if you have additional questions, please complete the form in the green box on this page which will send and e-mail to our volunteer coordinator, Donna Zinczenko.  You may also call her at 215-855-8297, ext. 133 or e-mail her directly at dzinczenko@npvna.org.