Companionship for Hospice Patients

Are you interested in serving as good company for terminally ill patients?

We are always looking for compassionate individuals who are interested in supporting terminally ill patients in their homes, in nursing facilities or at our Hospice House. These volunteers provide vital companionship to patients and crucial respite breaks for caregivers. Some volunteers also assist with critical needs like grocery shopping, medication pick-up or transportation.

How would I know if Im a good fit for this?

The most essential skill for this role is great listening skills. If you are someone who enjoys getting to know people, this is likely a good fit for you. In addition to trying to find opportunities to volunteer close to your home, we also match patients and volunteers based on interests and requests. This could include things like a shared interest in cribbage, the ability to speak (and sometimes sing) in French, openness to sitting outside in the sunshine, helping a patient record her/his life story for family members, reading aloud, helping write cards or letters, playing cards, scrapbooking or sometimes just sitting with someone. Patients sometimes have special outing wishes-maybe a chance to have their favorite ice cream one last time. Many of our patients enjoy reflecting on their life experiences and are very appreciative of someone who is interested in listening.

Training Requirement: Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice provides 20 hours of comprehensive Hospice training, a background check and TB testing at no cost to you. The usual training structure is two training sessions per week for several weeks, with each session lasting three to four hours.

Ongoing Commitment: At least two hours per week for one year

Dates/Times Available: Most needs are for weekday visits. The Hospice House does need volunteers from 4 to 8 p.m. to serve as greeters, assist in the kitchen and to visit patients. Individuals or small groups welcome for this.

Next Steps:Respond here and we will schedule a time to talk with you by phone to review options and share upcoming training times. We also invite you to visit our website atwww.ahch.orgfor more information on our organization.

Special Note:We ask that anyone who has experienced the recent loss of a loved one wait at least one year before becoming a Hospice volunteer.

Thank you for considering volunteering

with Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice