OUR VOLUNTEERS

WHAT DOES A VOLUNTEER DO?

Volunteers play an important role in the care provided by Hudson Valley Hospice. They are specially trained to provide comfort, support, and companionship to patients and their families for a few hours each week.

They can also play a vital role at hospice without coming into contact with patients. They can assist with administrative support in the office, with community education, assisting at fund-raising events and helping to recruit other volunteers.

All are asked to make a year-long commitment to hospice. Patient and family volunteers usually give three hours each week when working with a patient and family. Some give more time depending on their availability and personal commitments.

Errand Volunteer

Volunteers play an important role in the care provided by Hudson Valley Hospice. They are specially trained to provide comfort, support, and companionship to patients and their families for a few hours each week.

They can also play a vital role at hospice without coming into contact with patients. They can assist with administrative support in the office, with community education, assisting at fund-raising events and helping to recruit other volunteers.

All are asked to make a year-long commitment to hospice. Patient and family volunteers usually give three hours each week when working with a patient and family. Some give more time depending on their availability and personal commitments.

Errand Volunteer

Administrative volunteers who are needed for office support may work on a weekly basis, typically giving three hours each week during business hours, doing filing, mailings, data entry, etc.

Community outreach and fund-raising volunteers make commitments to help with special events; for example: community information tables, or the annual Tree of Life.

They are all assigned and supervised by the Hospice Volunteer Coordinator and work with the entire hospice team.

HOW CAN I HELP?

Visiting with a patient so the caregiver can do other things

Taking a patient to a medical appointment or for a drive on a sunny day

Picking up prescriptions, or going grocery shopping for the family

Providing emotional support and companionship

Assisting with Hudson Valley Hospice telephones, filing, mailings, data entry

Volunteers with special skills such as a second language, hobbies, skilled crafts, etc. are—from time to time—needed to help patients and families

Helping staff Hudson Valley Hospice’s annual Tree of Life event, Golf Tournament, or information booths around the community

To prepare, hospice provides a training course with a thorough background about hospice care and the special needs of people with advanced illnesses.

DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES

Have additional questions? We offer reference materials that can help! You can download and print the documents from these links:

SPRING 2024 VOLUNTEER PATIENT CARE TRAINING

Hudson Valley Hospice will be offering Patient Care training in the Spring of 2024, and invite you to join us! Play an important and rewarding role in the care we offer, and join our incredible team of Hudson Valley Hospice Volunteers. Once trained, volunteers are eligible to be assigned to a patient and work directly with the clinical care team under the direction of the Volunteer Coordinator.

*Please note that volunteers must attend all of the training dates outlined below.

Sessions will be held on the following dates:

  • Wednesday, June 5th – 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
  • Friday, June 7th – 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
  • Wednesday, June 12th – 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
  • Friday, June 14th – 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
  • Wednesday, June 19th – 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
  • Friday, June 21st – 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Registration is required to attend. If you live in Ulster County, please contact Terri St. John at 845-240-7597 to register. If you live in Dutchess County, please contact Peggy Kuras at 845-240-7524.

If you are interested in becoming a Hudson Valley Hospice volunteer, please email us at volunteers@hvhospice.org and a Volunteer Director will contact you.  You can also contact the Volunteer Office by calling 845-473-2273 extension 1124.

We appreciate your interest! And so will our patients.