Volunteers – The Heart of Hospice

Community Hospice volunteers come from many different backgrounds and walks of life. What they have in common, however, is a full measure of compassion and the desire to help others experience the best possible quality of life.

Our volunteers enjoy being with people and are good listeners. They are reliable, dependable, work well as part of a team and bring with them a good sense of humor because they know that everyone --- young, old, healthy, sick –feels better when they share a laugh.

Many of our volunteers visit Hospice patients at home, in the nursing home or hospital, providing companionship and helping out as any friend or neighbor would. They sit and talk, run errands or sometimes prepare light meals.

Other volunteers help Hospice staff members with office work or fundraising events. 

Training

All volunteers receive comprehensive training designed to help them better understand our patients, their families, and the role of Hospice in the community. Volunteers learn what services they can provide and the best ways to carry them out. Our volunteers are well-equipped with initial training and continuing education, and receive on-going personal support in fulfilling their responsibilities. We actively recruit volunteers in the 8 counties in which we provide services: Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Columbia, Greene, Saratoga, Montgomery, and Washington; trainings are held periodically throughout the year – contact a coordinator for training information and an application!"