Patient Stories

Becoming a Hospice Volunteer Yields Big Rewards

"I’m already looking forward to my next visit,” said Ian Skane of Danvers, Mass., who has been a hospice volunteer with Care Dimensions since 2023.

Volunteers like Ian can make an extraordinary difference for hospice patients and their families in many ways. The work also benefits the volunteers themselves, as many report getting more out of the experience than they put into it.

One of the best parts of volunteering with hospice is the flexibility – you can choose a schedule and level of involvement that works for you.  Whether you have just a few hours to give or more time to share, your presence can bring comfort, connections, and joy.

Ian’s patient, Mr. Jones, started hospice with Care Dimensions at 100 years old, and his wife, 101, also began the service. Their son was a dedicated caregiver for them but was feeling overwhelmed. The hospice team quickly noticed that the son would benefit from the extra support of a volunteer.

During his first visit, Ian reminded the son to take some time for himself. Ian freed up some of the son’s time to run errands and socialize with friends. The son exclaimed, “Dad, did you hear that? I’m going to get out of the house! It’s been months!”

Ian and Mr. Jones watched videos and talked about the old days, jazz, and dancing the jitterbug. “At the end of the visit, I couldn’t stop thinking about how transformed their son was—from the weary person who opened the door to the joyful, energized person who walked me out,” said Ian. “It warmed my heart.”

 
Many opportunities for hospice volunteers

Hospice volunteers play a vital role in helping patients and their families feel supported. And there are many different opportunities for volunteers. Most work focuses on helping people live each day to the fullest.  Examples of hospice volunteer work include:

• Engaging in a shared interest or hobby
• Helping with letter-writing or life review
• Visiting with your approved dog
• Reading to the patient
• Listening, and providing a supportive, comforting presence

If patient visits are not the right fit, you can volunteer in other ways, such as providing administrative office support or making check-in phone calls to current patients or bereaved family members.

The reasons people volunteer are as varied as the volunteers themselves. Some want to say “thank you” for a personal hospice experience; others want to make a difference for someone else.

“Being a hospice volunteer has changed my life because it keeps me grounded,” said Nancy Littlehale of Wenham, Mass. “Life is so much more enjoyable because I have a better appreciation for everything. I see people during the hardest time of their lives, which puts everything into perspective for me.”

More about being a hospice volunteer 

• Even one to two hours a week is enough. Some Care Dimensions volunteers are retired, some are students, and some are still working part- or full-time. They range in ages from 18 to 97. There is no right or wrong way to volunteer. Everyone’s time and availability differ. Most volunteering happens during weekdays but there are also opportunities to visit patients or help at our hospice houses in the evenings and on weekends.
• Support and training. Volunteers receive initial training (via Zoom) that prepares them to handle most of our volunteer roles, whether that involves spending time directly with patients and families, helping at one of our hospice houses, or providing office support. We also provide ongoing volunteer support and education.
• It starts with a phone call or an online application. Neither is a commitment. Sometimes people call for more information but can’t commit at that point; they begin volunteering when their schedule allows. Once you’re volunteering, we often can accommodate changes to your schedule. Any amount of time is helpful, and even if you are just exploring options for the future, we would still love to hear from you. To start the ball rolling, you can complete our online volunteer application at https://www.caredimensions.org/volunteers/become-a-volunteer. If you have questions or would like more information, call 978-750-9338 or email [email protected].

A little gift of time can have a tremendous impact on the lives of others. And that can make all the difference in the world – for you and for them.

Learn more about volunteering with Care Dimensions.