The Special Rewards Of A Hospice Volunteer

What are Hospice volunteers? They're ordinary people doing something extraordinary. They're men and women of all ages, interests and abilities who share a desire to help patients and families deal with life's greatest challenge. Through their simple acts of personal caring and concern, Hospice volunteers provide the comfort and support that distinguish hospice service.

The Hospice Volunteer

As a volunteer, you'll be a vital part of the Hospice team. Your caring will touch many people's lives. You'll visit a family as their friend and do all that you can to give them the best possible quality of life. You might offer to temporarily relieve the caregiver, help with the shopping, or drive the patient to a doctor. Perhaps you'll write letters or simply sit and listen and share their feelings.

Hospice caring continues after the patient's death. Bereavement support services are offered to help the family and friends readjust and continue their lives.

Bereavement volunteers assist in this program by calling and / or visiting assigned clients. Their aim is to develop a relationship which enables the family members to express their feelings and concerns. These volunteers encourage re-socialization when appropriate and work closely with the Hospice bereavement staff to help clients work through their grief and depression.

Hospice of Lake & Sumter offers many different volunteer activities. You can make the arrangements that suit you best and change them according to your individual needs.

"Why Should I Volunteer"

The benefits of being a Hospice of Lake & Sumter volunteer are as varied as out volunteers themselves. You'll be an active member of a health care organization providing comfort and support to patients and families alike. What you do will make a difference. You'll take pride in being able to help people at perhaps the most critical time of their lives. One supporter put it this way: "Of all the types of volunteer work I have done, volunteering with Hospice has been the most satisfying."

The Qualities Of A Volunteer

By considering volunteer service, you've shown caring nature. If you feel the following terms describe you, it's likely that you'd be an excellent volunteer:
~ A good listener
~ Understanding
~ Nonjudgmental
~ Emotionally stable supportive
~ Patient
~ Mature
~ Reliable

The Volunteer Orientation Program

To prepare you for patient / family or bereavement volunteer service, Hospice of Lake & Sumter offers a specialized orientation. This professional program is presented at times and places convenient to you and your fellow program participants.

As a graduate volunteer, you'll have the guidance and direct assistance of the Hospice of Lake & Sumter program and support staffs available to you at all times.

Interested?

If you'd like to learn more about the different ways you can help as a Hospice volunteer, call Hospice Volunteer Services office at 352-343-1341. From Sumter County, call toll-free 352-784-0299.

If you need further information, please contact us and we will be happy to assist you with your needs..

Hospice of Lake & Sumter Inc.
12300 Lane Park Road
Tavares, Fl. 32778-9660
(352) 742-1341 ~ (888) 728-6234 ~ Fax (352) 343-6115
Email Hospice@lakeinfo.com