Pioneer Memorial Hospital Hospice Volunteer Program

Hospice volunteers offer terminally ill patients and their families comfort, support and companionship during a patient’s most challenging days. Volunteers report that they cherish their volunteer hours as the rewards actually exceed their expectations. A volunteer’s visit often provides hospice patients with the knowledge that they are not alone.

What does a volunteer do?

Hospice volunteers primarily offer support and a caring presence to patients and their families. In addition to providing care for short periods of time so the family can take a break, volunteers may also offer companionship and comfort by visiting with patients, reading with them, listening to music, writing letters, running errands, playing games, or even helping with a meal. Our patients and their families often come to see their volunteers as important companions and an extension of their circle of friends

Who can volunteer?

Men, women and teens of all ages and backgrounds join the hospice team to offer services to patients in their homes, or wherever they live. Volunteers often help to provide the emotional, psychological, spiritual, and physical support patients need during their last days. To be a volunteer, on only needs a caring heart and a willingness to serve. Our extensive volunteer training program gives an awareness of patient’s needs and prepares them to participate with the hospice team in maintaining patient’s dignity and enhancing the quality of their remaining days.

Additional volunteer activities

• Hospice memorial services provided for the families of hospice patients
• Hospice fundraising activities that help to support the work of hospice
• Specialized services offer massage, Reiki and pet therapy to patients, at their request

Volunteer training

People interested in becoming a hospice volunteer participate in an extensive training program. Our training classes include topics such as:

• The history and philosophy of hospice
• Family dynamics
• Loss, grief and bereavement
• Stress management and care for patients and caregivers
• Spiritual issues at the end of life
• Understanding terminal illness and pain control
• Safety and infection control
• Patient care and comfort measures
• The volunteer’s role and responsibility in patient care

If you are interested in becoming a Hospice Volunteer contact our Hospice Department at 541-447-2510, or e-mail us at homecare@pmhprineville.org today.