Hospice Volunteer Program
At Advocate Hospice we believe in making everyday count. Volunteers perform a vital role on our health care team. Their selfless dedication of time and talent makes a significant contribution of the quality of care provided to patients, caregivers and families dealing with end-of-life issues.
We welcome all volunteers age 14 and older. Each volunteer is required to complete an 18-hour training program. The employee health department will also administer a TB test; there will be no charge to the applicants for the test. The Advocate Hospice volunteer program provides prospective volunteers with the skills to listen in a healing way and relate to those who are dying with compassion, empathy and understanding. It also covers the history and philosophy of hospice, grief and bereavement, spiritual awareness and patient care.
Key attributes of an effective hospice volunteer include good communication skills, a non-judgemental attitude, reliability, flexibility and the ability to express compassion and recognize the special value and dignity of each person.
A Team Effort
Hospice volunteers are part of a team that provides a caring and supportive presence to terminally ill patients and their families who are facing difficulties at the end of life.
- Patient and family volunteers offer steady sources of comfort and support through respite for caregivers, running errands or simply reading a book to the patient.
- Bereavement volunteers offer grief support.
- Office volunteers assist with administrative tasks in the office or work on special projects or events.
This is a very flexible way to help in your community. We look forward to meeting you. If you have any questions, please call us at 630.963.6800.
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