If you’ve followed us for any length of time, you have probably heard us talk about hospice volunteers. We celebrate them at our events and ask every member of our community to carefully consider whether volunteering is a good fit for them.

But what, exactly, do hospice volunteers do here at Coastal Home Health & Hospice?

A better question might be, “What don’t our volunteers do?” While many people enjoy simply going out and visiting hospice patients at their homes, there are so many more options available. We strive to help plug people into volunteering in a way that helps them use their passions and skills while also helping to enhance the lives of patients and their families. Here are some of the many options we have available for you:

1) Do you play an instrument? Patients love receiving personal concerts at their bedside. Even if you are a novice musician, any music can brighten up someone’s day.

2) Are you an artist? There are many ways you can use your artistic talents to comfort and amuse hospice patients. Some patients would love a little craft time with you using easy art projects. Others might enjoy you chatting with them while you draw them a personalized picture. You could also turn your artwork into greeting cards that we could send to patients.

3) Do you love gardening or landscaping? For many families going through the hospice process, mowing the lawn, weeding the flower beds, or raking the leaves is the last thing on their minds. But having a yard that looks nice can definitely relieve stress, especially from busy family members who are also doing double-duty as caretakers.

4) Are you a tech genius? Families can’t always come in-person to visit an ailing family member, and many times, technology can be challenging for seniors. Can you help people video chat with their family members across the country? Help set up a TV system in their bedroom? Help them set up “smart” features in their homes that will make things safer or easier?

5) Do you love listening to people’s stories? Patients in hospice have a lifetime of stories to share, and many of the stories share valuable insights into family histories, life lessons, or even just the things that made them laugh over the years. You can help hospice patients document their stories, either by writing them down, recording audio versions, or even creating videos of the patient sharing. Capturing these memories turns them into a valuable gift that can even be passed down through the generations.

6) Love animals? Many patients in hospice have pets that they can’t take care of properly anymore. Can you help feed or walk dogs? Clean a cat’s litter box? Make sure the pet birds are taken care of so the patient can enjoy their songs?

7) Do you prefer working behind the scenes? Maybe you’re not a “people person” or don’t feel comfortable visiting people’s homes. We have many other opportunities in the Coastal office, including helping prepare newsletters for mailing, help setting up events, and so much more.

8) Have an idea for a great fundraiser? As a nonprofit, Coastal depends on donations and fundraising events to help us expand our mission and service patients who would otherwise not be able to afford hospice. Do you have a great idea for a fundraiser that you’d like to help us with? We would love to hear it!

Did you not find your passion listed in this post? We can still find a great way for you to fit here at Coastal!

If you are interested in volunteering, reach out to Toni, our volunteer coordinator, at 541-469-0405, and she can answer all your questions and get you started with the process!