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Great Lakes Caring

Hospice Volunteer

Great Lakes Caring Hospice is looking for compassionate volunteers willing to donate their time to support clinicians and office staff in providing quality end-of-life care to local hospice patients and their families.

Volunteers are needed to visit patients and engage in activities such as playing music or singing, working on a craft project or sharing a special talent, or simply providing companionship through listening, talking, or holding a hand. They often provide respite care, allowing family members and caregivers to take a much-needed break. Patients enjoy and appreciate visits from people who want to spend time with them.

Hospice is a Medicare benefit program and regulations require that at least five percent of patient care hours be provided by volunteers. Volunteers are an essential part of the Great Lakes Caring Hospice team and support both medical and administrative staff.

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There are also volunteer opportunities within the Great Lakes Caring Hospice offices assisting staff with mailings, filing, computer work, paper-shredding, and other special projects. Additionally, volunteers can offer their time by making home comfort items, such as slippers, shawls, blankets, and dolls; providing pet therapy with trained animals; or giving vigil and bereavement support.

Great Lakes Caring Hospice offers in-depth training to prepare volunteers for this important and rewarding work. The hospice volunteer is part of the caring team and will be supported by the nurses, social workers, and volunteer coordinators. To learn more about the volunteer program, contact Shawna O’Neill, volunteer coordinator, at 888-260-9835 and/or apply online at the Great Lakes Caring website www.greatlakescaring.com

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