Volunteering
Volunteers needed! If you're interested, we want to hear from you... Email us!
Hospice Volunteer Roles:
Click on one of the following to learn more.
Companion and Respite
XL Hospice volunteers provide companionship for our patients and much
needed breaks for their caregivers. Some
of the things volunteers normally do with
patients include, visiting, reading to them,
participating in crafts or hobbies that
patients may enjoy, just being there to
hold a patient’s hand in a time of need.
Volunteers are also available for respite care. XL Hospice volunteers can sit with patients for a few hours while their caregivers are out running errands, grocery shopping, or just taking some much needed and deserved time for themselves.
Massage Therapy
XL Hospice massage therapy volunteers are trained and licensed massage therapists who donate their time to bring comfort and relaxation to patients.
Pet Therapy…Love Comes to Our Patients In Furry Form!
One of the ways we bring joy to our patients is through our pet therapy volunteers. Many studies have shown that pet therapy can greatly reduce stress and anxiety in chronically ill people. Just seeing the friendly face of a dog can create feelings of love and happiness in someone’s heart, making them forget, even if temporarily, about their health situation. We hear from other members of the hospice team how much our patients love and appreciate their volunteers and the dogs that come to see them. The adorably friendly face of a dog and the unconditional love that a dog shows is medicine for anyone’s soul. It’s no wonder that our patients get a kick out of the visits they get from the pet therapy volunteers. To learn more about how you can join our Pet Therapy team please contact Pet Therapy Coordinator, Joanne Harrison.
11th Hour Volunteers
The 11th Hour Volunteer program consists of a team of specially trained volunteers who sit vigil at the bedside with patients during the very last stage of life. Volunteers do not administer medication or give any other medical care. Their duties include simply being with the patient, holding the patient’s hand, reading to the patient, helping the family with light chores, and providing the patient with light comfort care such as mouth care, keeping lips and eyes moist, and applying cool cloths to the forehead. 11th Hour Volunteers stay with the patient and family for four to eight hours per shift day and night.
Office Support
XL Hospice office support volunteers perform tasks related to the day-to-day operation of the hospice office. Those tasks include filing, making copies, sending faxes, answering phones, and preparing mailings that go out to patients’ families and the community.