Hospice volunteers are at the heart of end-of-life care—but their role goes far beyond what most people understand. Let’s look at what draws people to this work, why self-awareness matters, and how volunteers bring something no one else can: time.
What do hospice volunteers do, and why are they such an important part of end-of-life care?
I’ve worked in hospice for quite a long time. I started out as a hospice volunteer in 1982. It was the very beginning of hospice care in the US. In those days, I volunteered much of my time — I gave 20 hours a week as a supportive nurse to the one newly hired RN.
Why did I want to be involved in hospice care? Why did I give so much of my time? I really don’t know. I just knew I was drawn to end of life work, that I felt I had something to offer, and that I really, really wanted to do this work. I’ve since learned that most of us who volunteer or did volunteer for hospice are drawn to it and are doing it because we are almost compelled to it — to help, to guide, to support.
Click here to read the full story: https://bkbooks.com/blogs/something-to-think-about/they-sit-with-the-dying-why-hospice-volunteers-matter