Consider becoming a veteran hospice volunteer
Many hospice agencies utilize veterans and their family members as hospice volunteers. Pairing a veteran volunteer with a dying veteran often results in a mutual camaraderie and brotherhood.

Hospice volunteers who also are veterans have a unique ability to support other veterans and their family at end of life.The veteran hospice volunteer offers a quiet solitude to dying veterans in a deep, trusting and understanding relationship.

The veteran hospice volunteer can participate in a beautiful ceremony at which the dying patient is given a certificate with their name on it and service category. The ceremony is a touching and memorable experience.

What do veteran hospice volunteers do?
The Hospice Volunteer Coordinator works closely with the patient and family to match their needs with volunteer services. Volunteers serve in a variety of ways, including:

• Giving respite and emotional support to the patient and family
• Providing caring companionship to the patient
• Listening to the concerns and fears of patients and family
• Providing transportation or help with shopping/errands
• Reading to the patient
• Writing letters for the patient
• Light house duties
• Providing grief and bereavement support to families and caregivers in the months following the death of their loved one.

Most volunteers want to be involved with patients and families, others might prefer helping in the office setting. You can ask to be placed in a setting that is most comfortable to you.

Qualifications

• Sensitivity
• Maturity/self-understanding
• Flexibility
• Patience
• Reliability
• A dedicated and compassionate desire to help others
• Effective communication and listening skills
• Appreciation of the hospice philosophy;
• Emotional stability and able to deal with difficult discussions about death and dying
• Ability to respect and maintain patient and family rights and confidentiality

How much time are veteran volunteers expected to serve?
The amount of volunteer time varies. In most cases, volunteers serve two to three hours per week.

Where do veteran volunteers go for support?
The volunteer coordinator works closely with all volunteers. The hospice team also is available to support volunteers. Meetings take place where volunteers can support each. Ongoing end-of-life education is offered.

How do I become a veteran hospice volunteer?
For more information, call (320) 259-9375 and ask for the hospice volunteer coordinator. The volunteer coordinator will schedule an interview with you.

St. Cloud Hospital Hospice offers a flexible volunteer training system. Volunteers choose the training option they prefer and complete it at their own pace. Training options include:

• Viewing DVDs or on-line videos and completing a workbook
• Attending training sessions as part of a larger group on a scheduled basis.

Hospice volunteers bring light and love into people’s lives!