Companion/Respite with Hospice of the Western Reserve, Medina

Basic volunteer duties involved in this assignment:

• Provide companion visits to patients under hospice services. Providing support, talking, engaging in life review, companionship, reminiscing, listening to music or sitting quietly in presence with patient during visit.
• Provide respite visits to patients and families under hospice services allowing caregivers to take a break, do errands in or outside of home while volunteer is sitting with patient for a short period of time up to a few hours.

Basic volunteer qualifications involved with this assignment: Ability to listen to the patient the patient, provide empathy and compassion to patient during the visit. Ability to complete a timesheet after each patient visit.

Who will be served by this assignment? Patient and family/caregivers

What is the anticipated benefit of this volunteer service to those receiving the service? Allow for companionship to patient. Allow caregiver relief to reduce caregiver burnout and allow for rest periods, errands, shopping.

What specific skills will the volunteer need? Ability to sit or stand intermittently for 2-4 hour assignments in inpatient / home / alternative settings.