Hospice Volunteers
Our hospice volunteers are valued members of the hospice team, bringing comfort and compassion to those they serve. Our volunteers have all expressed the same sentiment, that the gift they give of companionship and support is outweighed by what they get in return.
Lower Columbia Hospice volunteers serve Clatsop County's residents and families who are focusing on quality of life when a cure is no longer an option. The goal of our care team is to provide patients with comfort, dignity and quality at end of life, and offer compassionate support and companionship to both the patients and their families. Our volunteers are an extension of the compassionate care given by our medical and spiritual team consisting of physicians, nurses, home health aides, massage therapists, social workers and chaplain.
One grateful family member wrote:
"Our family is very thankful for the caring concern of the hospice team. The comfort they gave us during the loss of a family member was so helpful and supportive. Thank you, Lower Columbia Hospice, for being with us!"
Is hospice the right volunteer opportunity for you?
Hospice is a place where we support our patients and their families in their decisions at end of life. It is NOT a place to impart your own beliefs, religions or ideals. Hospice provides non-judgmental, compassionate support to those we serve.
If you have experienced the loss of a loved and are still processing your grief, providing patient companionship/caregiver respite may not be the right fit for you right now. However, we do encourage you to volunteer with hospice in other ways. This article may help you determine if hospice is a good volunteer opportunity for you: "Why do you want to support people who are dying?"
Volunteer opportunities
As hospice volunteers, our main goal is to provide companionship to patients and their loved ones. While some of these offerings seem simple, to our patients and their families, we are offering time to create memories, time for self care and giving them peace of mind in the support and compassion we show them. We offer a variety of ways you can volunteer:
Patient/Caregiver Companionship
Your time with patients could consist of a variety of activities from reading, writing, playing games, talking or just sitting with them in silence. Volunteers coordinate their own schedule to align with the needs of our patients and families.
Caregiver Respite
Sometimes we just need a break. Families are often overwhelmed with caring for an ill loved one and forget to take care of themselves. Hospice volunteers can serve as that person to sit with the loved one to provide the caregiver a break and provide peace of mind knowing their loved one is not alone.
Music
Our music program is offered by trained hospice volunteers with a musical background, ranging from musical instruments to singing. Volunteers will visit with patients in home or at facilities and provide them with a private performance.
Friendly Flowers
Our Friendly Flowers group meets once a month to make arrangements from flowers donated by three local florists to be delivered to patients and families under hospice care. It gives patients and their caregivers something beautiful to brighten their day a little.
Administrative
This could include a variety of tasks from packet preparation and mailings, assisting volunteer coordinators, preparing for trainings or special projects.
Grief Support Groups
Our hospice volunteers take part in leading grief support groups for families who have lost loved ones. These grief groups are open to the public.
What do you get from volunteering?
The experience itself is the reward, but Columbia Memorial Hospital also offers other benefits to our volunteers.
Hospice volunteering offers a sense of comradery, support and being a part of team that selflessly gives back to our community. It means providing compassionate, non-judgmental support to patients and their families and sometimes providing it to people who do not have the support of family and friends.
What should you expect as a volunteer?
You will be provided a one-time, mandatory 16-hour training to become a volunteer. We also hold monthly volunteer meetings and fun activities throughout the year.
If you have an interest in learning more about becoming a Lower Columbia Hospice volunteer, please call our volunteer coordinator Ashley O'Bryant at 503.338.6230 or email aobryant@columbiamemorial.org. We sincerely hope you consider becoming a hospice volunteer.
Apply to be a hospice volunteer
More information on hospice and volunteering
To hear more stories on what to expect in hospice, below are some suggested books:
- The Final Act of Living: Barbara Karnes, RN
- The In-Between: Hadley Vlahos, RN
Information on privacy and confidentiality for hospice volunteers: