Volunteering for Hospice Hospice of Michigan exists to help people who are terminally ill live in dignity and comfort until the very end of life. Volunteers fill many roles at Hospice. They are an important part of the patient care team, providing a special kind of caring and compassion to Hospice patients and their families Hospice volunteers Hospice of Michigan's volunteers are a dedicated group of men and women with many different interests and talents. They help HOM in many ways: through direct contact with patients and families, grief support to bereaved families, administrative assistance and community relations. Patient care volunteers add a special dimension to Hospice of Michigan's work with patients and families. They offer simple but valuable gifts: a warm smile, a tender touch, a listening ear, a heartfelt willingness to help. They become friends, helping patients express feelings and easing sadness. In return, volunteer's gain the satisfaction of knowing that they have made a real difference at a very vulnerable time of life. Wherever they work at Hospice, volunteers learn new skills and expand their knowledge and experience. HOM volunteers say that working with death and dying is not depressing; it is a lesson in living. What can you do? Hospice of Michigan volunteers can use their time and talents in many ways. Individuals decide how much time, how often and in what capacity they want to volunteer. Volunteer Activities Include: Patient care Reading to a patient, or holding a hand Staying with a patient while families members take a needed break or keep an appointment Shopping or doing errands for a patient Providing transportation for a patient or family member Listening to patients and families Helping patients write or tell their life stories Cooking or helping with light household chores Babysitting or doing things with a patient's children or grandchildren Praying, reading the Bible, or singing hymns with a patient Providing haircuts, manicures or help with makeup Assisting a patient with bathing, shaving or other personal care Working on crafts and other projects with patients or for patients Grief support Calling or visiting bereaved families to offer emotional support Facilitating or assisting with support groups and seasonal programs Coordinating mailings to families of HOM patients Administrative services Typing, answering phones and filing at HOM offices Preparing mailings Writing acknowledgment notes to donors Helping with data entry Community relations Providing information about Hospice of Michigan at local health fairs and other community events Assisting with fundraising activities Speaking to groups on behalf of Hospice of Michigan Getting started Hospice of Michigan provides a basic orientation and training for all volunteers. HOM's professional staff is available to help volunteers learn. Periodic inservice programs are offered to volunteers on topics such as empathetic listening, spiritual and emotional support, physical care and the grieving process. All Hospice of Michigan offices have a volunteer manager. To learn more about being a volunteer with Hospice of Michigan, call toll-free at 1-888-HOM-5656 (466-5656) and ask to speak to the volunteer service manager in your area. He or she will answer your questions and discuss your areas of interest with you.