Partners Hospice Volunteer Services

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What do Partners Hospice Volunteers do?
As members of the hospice interdisciplinary team, Patient Care Volunteers visit with patients at their home, in a nursing facility, or occasionally in the hospital. They provide friendly visits, companionship and emotional support, as well as "respite" for caregivers and occasional assistance with light household tasks or errands such as grocery shopping.

Some volunteers also "sit vigil" with and provide support to patients who are actively dying and/or provide bereavement support to a family member following the death of a loved one.

Administrative/Office Support Volunteers contribute their office and computer skills to help ensure the smooth day-to-day functioning of the agency.

2. Who can be a volunteer?
Partners Hospice volunteers come to us from all age groups (though individuals wishing to volunteer with patients must currently be 18 years or older), cultural and educational backgrounds. They are working professionals, retired and non-working individuals, stay-at-home parents and students. They are joined in their desire to be of service to people who are nearing the end of their lives.

3. What is the time commitment?
We ask Patient Care Volunteers (those wishing to visit with patients and families) to consider making a one-year commitment to volunteering a minimum of 2-4 hours a week. The time commitment for Administrative/Office Support Volunteers varies greatly depending on their interests and availability and the type of work they choose to do. 

4. What type of training and support or supervision will I receive?
To become a Patient Care Volunteer you must first complete our hospice volunteer training program that will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of serving the terminally ill and their caregivers. Following the training, we strongly encourage you to attend monthly volunteer meetings for support and supervision, as well as various in-service educational programs that are offered throughout the year. Our Office Support Volunteers receive training and supervision appropriate to their assignments.

5. When is the next training program?
For information about upcoming trainings, please contact Kathryn Perrin, Manager of Volunteer Services, at 781-894-1100.

 

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