VOLUNTEER

Our volunteers serve Gilchrist Hospice Care in a variety of capacities. Most work directly with patients, while others assist with administrative duties, at special events or in follow-up with bereaved clients.

ways that Gilchrist volunteers make a difference:

Sharing companionship with patients and families, whether by reading aloud or just being a good listener.
Providing respite care in the home to relieve family members from the constant demands of caring for a loved one.
Running errands for patients or caregivers, such as picking up medication at the pharmacy or a favorite food at the grocery store.
Providing grief support assistance to families before and after the death of their loved one.
Supporting the actively dying as an End of Life Doula.

Training, Time and Other Requirements

Our three-part training program is required to ensure that volunteers are fully acquainted with Gilchrist Hospice Care’s mission and vision, programs and services. We prepare them to feel comfortable with whatever responsibilities they will assume.

Gilchrist Volunteers will:

Become knowledgeable about our guiding philosophy of hospice care
Understand the many physical and emotional challenges confronting the terminally ill and their families.
Make a commitment to serve from two to four hours a week for a minimum of one year. You can choose to work during daytime, evenings or weekends.
Be caring, sensitive and mature.
Enter a home without judging or needing to impose their own beliefs.
Be flexible and unafraid of spending time with patients experiencing the physical and emotional effects of a debilitating illness.

Find out how you can make a difference and experience the many rewards of serving our patients and families. If you are interested in becoming a Gilchrist Hospice Care volunteer, please complete our volunteer application or contact our volunteer manager, Debbie Jones at (443) 849-8239 for more information.

Visit our Calendar for upcoming training dates.

Download a volunteer training application.