Volunteer Program

Volunteer Program

Volunteer - The Heart of Hospice

Nightingale volunteers are ordinary people with extraordinary hearts. They understand how precious life is for those facing a terminal illness and how important it is for patients and their loved ones to live life to the fullest.

That little extra the volunteer gives in performing a task, offering compassion and friendship, or just listening makes a big difference.

The most extraordinary thing, though, is what volunteers get in return for their time – a gift that enhances their own lives.

Volunteers play an extremely important role in hospice nationwide. Without them, in fact, most hospices would not be able to carry on their work.

Of the thousands involved in hospice care in America, some 95,000 are volunteers and each year they give more than 5 million hours to helping those patients and family members on hospice services.

They provide assistance at all levels of skill. Many are relatives and friends of former hospice patients who, having seen how much hospice can help, want to contribute to its good work. All hospice volunteers receive thorough training and are under the direction of the Hospice Volunteer Coordinator.