Volunteers

Sherry J. – Family Caregiver & Event Volunteer

Family Care Giver Training

Spring 2024 Volunteer Family Care Giver Training Dates Announced!

Hospice of Central New York and the Finger Lakes announce our Volunteer Family Care Giver Training dates.

This new Volunteer Training is for those interested in providing companionship and support to Hospice patients and their families in their homes or facilities.

Must be emotionally mature and compassionate person dedicated to providing sensitive support to end-of-life patients and their families.

Spring Training dates begin 4/4/24, 4/11/24, 4/18/24, 4/25/24, 5/2/24, 5/29/24 and conclude on 5/16/24. Training times are from 5:30-8:00PM and are held at our 990 7th North Street, Liverpool, NY location.

Reserve your spot today!

For more information, please contact the Volunteer Department at 315-634-1100.

To complete and submit a Volunteer Application form, please click here!

A message from Cindy who is one of our Family Caregiver’s about volunteering:

“Being a Hospice volunteer has truly been a deeply, life changing experience for me. Supporting patients and their families at the end of life has brought great joy, peace and light for everyone involved.

All you need to volunteer is your willingness to be a compassionate presence to those who have chosen to live the rest of their lives with dignity, choice and the best quality of life possible. I am so grateful to be a member of the Hospice Care Team!”

ALL Volunteer Opportunities at Hospice of Central New York and Hospice of the Finger Lakes are flexible and work around your schedule!

Hospice Family Care Giver Volunteers

Hospice volunteers are called “Family Care Givers” because they provide support not only to patients but also to their families, who are often the patient’s primary caregivers.

Hospice Family Care Giver Volunteers may visit patients and families in their homes, at nursing homes or at Francis House, wherever the volunteer feels most comfortable. Length of volunteer visit is approximately  1 – 2 hours.  The role of a family care giver volunteer is that of a friendly companion. Family Care Giver Volunteers do NOT provide hands on care. Some of the other ways that volunteers offer support to patients and families may include:

Requirements

  • Family care volunteers must attend a 17 ½ hour training program, which will provide the volunteer with confidence and assurance to support patients and their families at end of life.
  • Family Care Giver volunteers must complete required paperwork

WHAT QUALITIES DOES HOSPICE SEEK IN A VOLUNTEER?

MOTIVATION

The factors which motivate someone to consider volunteer work are many and varied. Personality traits common to effective volunteers include a need to serve, to share, and to interact with others in an emotionally mature manner. Volunteers may be seeking a learning experience, an opportunity for personal growth, or a place in which they can make a meaningful contribution to society.

TOLERANCE

Hospice volunteers must have and be able to exhibit a non-judgmental attitude and approach toward patients and families of many different backgrounds and experiences. Volunteers need to show openness and acceptance of individuals from varied cultural, social, religious and lifestyle orientations, even though they may differ from the volunteer’s.

WARMTH, EMPATHY, TACT, AND DISCRETION

These qualities are essential if the volunteer is to form effective relationships with patients, families and other hospice staff. What is said, how it is said, things that are better left unsaid, and responsive gestures are all skills that the volunteer will use in their hospice work.

RESPECT FOR OTHERS

As members of the interdisciplinary team, volunteers must show hospice patients and families the same respect as they expect for themselves. All information regarding a patient and his/her family is to be kept strictly confidential at all times. Any discussions concerning patients and families are strictly limited to hospice staff and patient/family team members.

DEPENDABILITY

Dependability is important if the volunteer is to gain the trust of patients and their families, and the respect of team members. Each volunteer is responsible for assessing his/her capabilities and availability before accepting an assignment and the commitment it entails. It is better to say “no” when asked than to take on a case and later wish you had not.

FLEXIBILITY

The goal of the volunteer is to help the patient/family while working as a member of the interdisciplinary team. This may involve a variety of tasks that are important to meeting the patient/family care plan. The volunteer must be able to adapt as necessary as specific need arise, because patient and family needs are often complex and ever-changing.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

A volunteer who is able to listen attentively and communicate what is heard effectively can be exceptionally supportive to families and patients. Each volunteer is expected to develop and practice these skills in order to facilitate the development of caring relationships with patients, families and other staff members.

ABILITY TO WORK AS A TEAM MEMBER

The volunteer is a respected member of the interdisciplinary team that develops and implements a care plan for the patient and family. It is vitally important that all members of the team work together to give our families the best possible care. At no time should a volunteer initiate a plan if action that has not been approved by the interdisciplinary team.

TALENTS AND SKILLS

Past work experiences, hobbies, and interests can be valuable assets to the volunteer in developing creative ways to enhance the services they provide.

SENSE OF HUMOR

It is helpful not to take yourself seriously. Remember, “Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly.” Laughter can be healing. Don’t be afraid to share a new joke, offer a ride to the ice cream store with your hospice family, or share a humorous story at volunteer support meetings.

COMMUNICATION LINK

Another volunteer role is that of a communication link between the patient, family and hospice interdisciplinary team. Through your personal visits or phone calls you may observe an important change in the patient’s or the family’s condition which has not yet come to the attention of the hospice staff. If so, contact the patient’s primary nurse, counselor, or chaplain and share the information.

COMMITMENT

A good faith commitment to hospice will be one of the most important qualities to have. When becoming a volunteer a commitment is made to serve for one year. Discussion with the Coordinator of Volunteers determines what days or times the volunteer is available. It is essential that the commitment given be followed through.

Hospice Veteran Volunteers

The role of the Hospice Veteran Volunteer is to honor our veteran patients at end of life by delivering/presenting the patient and their families with a Certificate and Pin honoring them for their service.  The veteran volunteer will also deliver a packet of helpful information for veterans and their families at end of life.  The patient and family are accepting of the Hospice veteran volunteer’s visit and the volunteer is provided with all of the necessary information and training to provide this service.

Requirements:

  • Veteran volunteers must attend a 3 hour training program, which will provide the veteran with confidence and assurance to honor and support our veteran patients at end of life.
  • Veteran volunteers must complete required paperwork.

Administrative Support Volunteers

Hospice administrative volunteers provide support to our staff and in our office by assisting with a variety of administrative assignments.   Some of these assignments can include the following:

  • Copying and collating materials
  • Assisting with outgoing mailings
  • Data entry
  • Filing
  • Sorting and preparing mailing materials
  • Assisting with hospice events and activities
  • Assisting with preparing patient supplies

Requirements
Administrative volunteers must complete required training and required paperwork.

Hairdresser / Barber Volunteers

Volunteer must have be a licensed hairstylist/barber. Volunteers will provide a haircut to a patient, per the patient or family request.   Volunteers do NOT provide a wash, set or style.  The volunteer role is flexible as the volunteer can schedule the appointment around their schedule.

Requirements
Volunteers must complete required training and required paperwork.

Reiki Volunteers

Hospice Reiki Volunteers must be at least Level 2 trained Reiki Practitioners.  The Reiki volunteer will provide a 30 minute (or more) Reiki session. Patients / families have requested a Reiki volunteer.  The Reiki volunteer must explain to the patient / family their intention in performing the hands off Energy Healing work prior to the session beginning.

Requirements

  • Reiki Volunteers must attend a 3 hour training program and required paperwork.
  • Reiki volunteers must work within the guidelines of Hospice of CNY and Hospice of the Finger Lakes liability policies and procedures.

Hospice Volunteer Testimonies

Meet Donna: A Hospice Family Care Giver

Meet Emily: A Hospice Family Care Giver 

“The most rewarding part of being a Hospice Family Care giver is having the chance to hear patients share their life stories and be a support to the families at the most difficult of times.  I feel it is an honor to do this work.”

“Knowing that by simply being present and sitting with the patient, is providing comfort to them and to their family, is so meaningful”

“I love helping in the office because I am able to use my office skills to actually make a difference!”

Holiday Sewing Project – Check it out!