advertisement

Rewards of volunteering to visit hospice patients

If you were facing a life-limiting illness, what would be most important to you? You might want friends and family surrounding you to make the most of the time. If you had a loved one in the same situation, you would want people to visit him or her when you couldn't be there.

Unfortunately, due to work and family obligations their loved ones have, hospice patients are often lonely and isolated. They need someone to be a friend and supporter. Some of the activities hospice volunteers do with their patients are playing cards, reading, watching TV together, going for walks, reminiscing, sharing stories and sometimes just providing a comforting presence. Hospice volunteers need to be kind, caring and reliable and are worth their weight in gold! Some volunteer at least two hours a week, and some spend even more time enriching the lives of those with whom they visit.

Hospice volunteers say that they receive far more satisfaction in return for their companionship than they thought they would. Making such a difference in someone's life is an intangible and priceless gift, benefitting both the recipient and the giver.

Harbor Light Hospice has patients all over the western and southern suburbs of Chicago. Our patients live in skilled nursing or assisted living facilities, or their own homes. We would love to extend the opportunity to visit hospice patients to interested volunteers.

We require a background check, TB test, and simple physical exam (at our expense), and provide orientation and training. Place and times to visit are flexible according to your location and schedule. Call or email Cathy Miller, (630) 942-0100, cmiller@harborlighthospice.com for more information on how you can make a very BIG difference in someone's life.

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.