Make a Difference as a Hospice Volunteer

(Danbury)— “I really enjoy sitting with patients who are by themselves. There is something so sacred about holding space for a person when they feel alone and scared," said a current volunteer.

Compassionate volunteers make a profound difference in the lives of Regional Hospice and Home Care families. Are you a good listener who enjoys being with people? Have you been looking for a way to impact someone’s life? Do you have the capacity to brighten someone’s day? If so, please consider becoming a Regional Hospice volunteer.

The non-profit hospice agency is hosting a training session for new Family Support Volunteers on Monday through Thursday evenings during the weeks of January 25th to January 28th and February 1st to February 4th. Sessions are held from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at the Center for Comfort Care & Healing on 30 Milestone Road in Danbury, and dinner will be served at each training session.

Anyone interested should contact Mary Beth Hickey, Volunteer Manager, at (203) 702-7415 or by email at MHickey@RegionalHospiceCT.org for an interview and to fill out an application. Registration with an interview is required in advance of the class session, and attendance at all dates is mandatory. “We are looking for compassionate, caring people who are interested in helping families who have a loved one receiving end-of-life care,” said Hickey.

Regional Hospice is also seeking Veterans to volunteer as part of their We Honor Veterans program, which will match Veteran volunteers with Veterans in Regional Hospice care.

There is also a need for volunteer Licensed Massage Therapists to provide massage therapy to patients. A two hour orientation will be provided.

We continually have a need for evening and weekend Lobby Greeters to welcome visitors to the Center for Comfort Care & Healing are also. Lobby greeter shifts are four or five hours per shift from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., seven days a week. If you are interested in becoming a Lobby Greeter, please contact the volunteer office to inquire about the next scheduled orientation.

An interview, three references and a background check are required of all volunteers.

“The schedule for volunteers is very flexible,” said Hickey. “It can be once a month or several times each week, depending on their availability.”

Regional Hospice and Home Care’s team of experienced clinicians have been providing physical, emotional, spiritual and bereavement support to children, adults and their families through our palliative and hospice care program for the past 30 years. Regional Hospice and Home Care is a nonprofit, state-licensed and Medicare-certified home health care and hospice agency. Now, with the opening of our new private-room, specialty hospital for palliative and end-of-life care — the Center for Comfort Care & Healing — Regional Hospice and Home Care can bring that same hope and compassionate care close to home and under one roof.

For more information, visit www.RegionalHospiceCT.org.

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