Touching Lives...

Hospice Volunteers

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.

Helen Keller

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt within the heart.

Helen Keller

The heart and character of our team of volunteers is immeasurable. They give of their time a few hours per week to support patients who need companionship and comfort, they offer their time to family and friends who need a few hours of rest, and are able to provide valuable information to the hospice team that is helpful in the care plan. Hospice enthusiastically embraces volunteerism like no other health care field.  Volunteer service is considered so vital to hospice that Federal Medicare guidelines require that at least 5% of the hospice's care be provided by volunteers.  They are truly an intricate part of the “Hospice Circle of Care”.

• Volunteers provide companionship to patients through listening, reading, music, prayer, holding a hand, and just “being there”. 
• Volunteers also provide needed non-medical services: letter writing, errands, respite time for family. They also provide support at the time of death and during bereavement.

We ask that our volunteers become companion of the heart by being:

• Patient and non-judgmental
• Comfortable with silence
• Honest about one’s own time and energy limits
• Respectful of others’ beliefs and spiritual needs

How Can I Help?

Consider becoming an important part of the care team and have the opportunity to contribute greatly to a patient's quality of life. Hospice Volunteer Training is necessary and will provide all the skills necessary to assure your level of comfort with end-of-life care.

If you are interested about becoming a volunteer, please call  ThedaCare at Home at (920) 969-7427 or 1-800-984-5554.  You may also email mary.betters@thedacare.org for more information.