If you are compassionate, a good listener and enjoy getting to know people, consider becoming a patient care volunteer. Caring individuals are needed to offer friendly support to patients in their homes, assisted living facilities and nursing homes.

Patient care volunteers can provide:

• Comfort and support to a patient while the caregiver takes a break.
• Companionship.
• Emotional support to families.
• A presence during a patient’s final hours.
• Assistance with shopping and errands, such as going to the grocery store.
• Meal preparation.
• Light housekeeping or laundry.
• Running errands.

Volunteers who can offer professional services—such as notaries, attorneys, hair stylists, massage therapists and pet therapists—also are needed.

You can be involved in volunteering at several levels. Time commitments vary, and may be a few hours a week or a few hours a month. Opportunities are available days, evenings, nights and weekends. Direct patient care volunteers are most needed during the week during daytime hours. Effort is made to match volunteers and patients who live in the same area.

Comprehensive training is provided to all patient care volunteers. It offers an opportunity to learn more about how to be most helpful to patients and their loved ones and to find out if it’s a good fit for you. The first step is completing an application. You will then be contacted to meet in person to discuss your preferences and begin the process which includes a background check.

Patient care volunteer training and onboarding is being provided virtually and can be done from the convenience of your home any time.