Volunteer for Hosparus

Hosparus volunteers are ordinary people ... doing extraordinary things!

They're men and women of all ages, interests and abilities who share a desire to help patients and families deal with life's greatest challenge.

They're members of the unique team assembled to meet the varied needs of people facing life-limiting illness or dealing with personal loss.

They're generous with their time and simple acts of caring and concern that are hallmarks of hospice care.

They're making a difference.

Requirements

What are the requirements to become a Hosparus volunteer?

Hosparus volunteers must:

Be in good health (Hosparus provides TB screening during training).
Have transportation available.
Have not experienced the death of a significant person or other major loss or change within the last 12 months.
Complete training and an application process.

Getting started

Volunteering for Hosparus is a richly rewarding activity. Here are the basics of getting started.

Fill out an application. To receive our volunteer application, contact Hosparus at one of the locations listed below:

For Hospice of Louisville, you can print and complete the volunteer application form. For information, call (502) 719-4155 or toll-free at (800) 264-0521, or send an e-mail to dconway@hospices.org.

For Hospice of Central Kentucky, call (270) 737-6300 or toll-free at (800) 686-9577 or send an e-mail to cwitham@hospices.org and request an application.

For Hospice of Southern Indiana, call (812) 945-4596 or toll-free at (800) 895-5633 or send an email to vgresham@hospices.org to request an application.

For the Hosparus Grief Counseling Center, contact one of the three area Hosparus offices in your area (see above).

For the Louisville Volunteer Department, send an e-mail to kising@hospices.org or call (502) 719-8935.

Interview. Once you have completed and returned your application, you will need to schedule an interview with the coordinator of volunteers. To do so, send an email to dconway@hospices.org or call (502) 719-4153. This is an important time to learn more about our current needs and the skills, interests and time commitment you wish to give.

Attend a volunteer orientation. 12 hours of classroom training is required for patient care.

Volunteer training

Hosparus offers comprehensive training, specialized for new volunteers and for ongoing continuing education needs. A comprehensive training composed of 12 classroom hours is required for volunteers who want to work directly with patients. Volunteers who want to serve in other capacities, such as administration, fundraising or special events, may participate in a three-hour abbreviated training. However, all prospective volunteers are encouraged to participate in the comprehensive training, as the sessions include an opportunity to learn from experienced Hosparus volunteers and staff.

Our volunteer training course provides new volunteers with information regarding the Hosparus philosophy of care, volunteer roles, compassionate communication skills, psychosocial and spiritual aspects of death and the interdisciplinary team approach to hospice care. We introduce prospective volunteers to our many programs with a focus on finding the best place of service for them and their gifts.

Patient care volunteers

Patient care volunteers provide a special brand of caring to hospice patients at home, in our two inpatient units or in area nursing homes. Volunteers are not expected to become family counselors, but to serve as non-judgmental listeners, companions and helpers in times of special needs. They are friends and confidants who sit with patients, shop for them, read to them or write letters for them, lend a sympathetic ear and friendly face or perform other acts of kindness.

Patient care volunteers also may provide services such as hair care or massage or may even play a musical instrument. Volunteers who are fluent in a foreign language or know sign language can also help patients or family member communicate with caregivers.

Office volunteers and special-event volunteers

Office and special-event volunteers do the following:

Answer telephones.
Manage and catalog library transactions.
Participate in the Hospice Players Theatre.
Prepare, fill and duplicate projects like board or family packets, education confereences, memorials and newsletters.
Run errands.
Sort large mailings.
Type and input data and statistics.
Help with fundraising activities such as "Wolfe Walk", "The Volunteer Fashion Show," "Pennies From Heaven" and the "Bar-B-Q Ball," among other fun events.
Work at one of the Hosparus thrift shops.
Staff our booth and sell angels at community events such as the St. James Art Fair, Ballard Holiday Halls or Harvest Homecoming.
Make bereavement calls to those who have lost a loved one.
Serve as trained camp counselors at Evergreen.
Submit articles for the volunteer newsletter.

Hosparus Education and Volunteer Center volunteers

Hosparus Education and Volunteer Center volunteers further our educational mission by doing volunteer tasks that include the following:

Assisting with preparing multi-media materials.
Grant writing.
Represent Hosparus by speaking to community groups through our speakers bureau.
Copying, compiling folders, binders, or other materials for training sessions.
Data entry for the library or other needs.
General library assistance.
Assisting with conferences or other educational events.

Hosparus Grief Counseling Center volunteers

Our Hosparus Grief Counseling Center volunteers help with:

Office and clerical tasks.
"Living Through Grief" classes.
Support groups.
Annual memorial services.
Littles Group.
Grief Connection.
Camp Evergreen.

Volunteers speak

"It's an honor to play a role in this important time in a patient's life." -- Volunteer in Sellersburg, Ind.

"Volunteering makes a difference to the patient and also to the volunteer. Being a friend and sharing everyday experiences let the patient be a person again, not just a sick person." -- Volunteer in Floyds Knobs, Ind.

"Training was tremendous preparation for me. Hospice of Southern Indiana is as much support to the volunteers as to the patients." -- Volunteer in Underwood, Ind.

"I can't control the inevitable end that patients and families face, but I can make it a little bit easier for them. I've sat with people who never even knew I was there, but I still felt good about giving the family a break. I try to always touch my patients, whether it's a handshake or a hug or simply a pat on the shoulder. I find that even the sickest patients respond to touch. I would encourage anyone who is interested to contact Hosparus about volunteer opportunities. I've helped a lot of people over the years and have made a lot of friends along the way." -- Volunteer in Central Kentucky.