Veteran-to-Veteran Services for Hospice Patients

Are you a military veteran?

Are you interested in serving as good company for our patients who are veterans and/or recognizing their military service?

As a proud partner in the We Honor Veterans program, we are always seeking veteran volunteers who would be willing to volunteer with other veteran patients. This might mean connecting with terminally ill veteran patients by phone or visiting with them where they live. Our veteran Hospice patients also have the opportunity to have their military service recognized through a special pinning ceremony offered by our veteran volunteers. These experiences are frequently very meaningful to the patient, his or her family and our veteran volunteers.

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

As with our other Hospice volunteering opportunities, great listening skills are essential for this role. Our Veteran-to-Veteran program also requires volunteers to be sensitive to the wide variety of military experiences that our veteran patients have had, a range of perspectives on that service and very individualized needs in terms of how that service impacts patients and their families at the end of life. Our patients are also looking for good company, so youre likely a good fit for this if you enjoy getting to know people and learning about their life. In addition to discussing military history and its impact, our patients might request someone who would be willing to read to them, engage in cards or games, chat with them (maybe even in French), help with cards or letters or sometimes just sit together. Visits may also provide respite time so that family members who are the patients primary caregivers are able to get well-deserved breaks. If youre looking for a compassionate way to honor and respect fellow veterans at the end of their lives, we invite you to consider joining us.

Training Requirement: Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice provides 20 hours of comprehensive Hospice training (which includes a component of veteran-specific training), a background check and TB testing at no cost to you. The usual training structure for the 20 hours of Hospice training 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, though veteran pinning ceremonies are sometimes requested on weekends when a patient would like more loved ones to be present.

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 1 year before doing Hospice volunteering.

Thank you for considering volunteering with

Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice