Has anyone volunteered for Hospice? What was your experience like? Would you do it again?

Answer 1

I plan on volunteering (they have my application). I would like to know this as well.

Answer 2

First of all, please do not be distracted by the negative comments you've received from "Bored Stiff". Obviously , and sadly, this person had a bad experience and doesn't really understand hospice care. His/her comments do not exemplify hospice care. They don't "show up" twice a day - hospice is much more than that.

Yes, I've volunteered for hospice, but more so I've run a hospice program for 11 years now.

Hospice is not for everyone, but for those who are willing to give of themselves, to open their hearts, emotions, and give some time, it will probably be the most rewarding volunteering ever done ( I hear that every day from our volunteers).

A hospice volunteer can do most anything from A to Z to help a hospice program out. If sitting with "dying" people isn't your thing, then you can certainly help in other ways, like helping with office work, promotions, fundraising, all sorts of things.

We give a basic training to all volunteers which is good for everyone to go to - whether you volunteer or not. Dying is a part of living, and Americans LOVE to deny that! A good hospice course helps to to get in touch with your own life experiences and make decisions for yourself.

Then, you spend some time exploring what gifts you may have that you can share with others. Maybe it's being part of the "pet therapy" program. Or taking someone for a ride. How about taking someone fishing? Sitting with someone and playing a card game? Just giving the family a break? There's no end to opportunities.

If you volunteer for a good hospice you'll get much more out of it, then you'll ever give, and your life will be enriched.

I do hope you'll give it a try!

Answer 3

I volunteered for hospice for 3 years while I was in college. I loved the experience. It was sad at times watching families say goodbye to their loved one. However, it was also very rewarding to listen to them tell the stories of their lives and to share in the special journey of death. I would love to do it again and hopefully I will get to. However, right now I have my hands full with work, being a mom and being in a relationship. I hope you enjoy hospice work as much as I did...

Answer 4

i have dealt with hospice but not as a volunteer. i knew people who were in hospice. they try to keep the dying person and the family as comfortable as possible. its a really sad thing to go through having to watch people die. i don't know that i could ever volunteer with hospice after watching two people die. they aren't going to get better and you are going to be watching day after day. it is hard for the dying person and the family. it takes a special person to be able to do that

Answer 5

I performed an internship at a hospice while I was in graduate school and found it to be a very positive experience. It has its sad aspects but has many positive aspects too. I loved hearing the people's stories, either from them or their families.

It takes a certain person to be able to handle grief and loss like this on a daily basis. You have to somewhat be able to detach yourself from the emotional turmoil going on around you while continuing to remain supportive.

Good luck!

Answer 6

I've had to deal with Hospice twice in my life. I think that it is the saddest thing in the world. They show up two times a day and do nothing. It is one of the biggest scams in the health care business. What can you honestly do for somebody? Are you trained in medical field? Have you been trained in counseling for the family and friends? Are you able to administer last rights? I think that this needs to change!

Answer 7

i'd worry better if u did not experience some type of grief. it is completely organic to create a bond with someone who u see so in many circumstances for 3 months. Your to blame thoughts on the different hand will do u no favours. contained in the field which u artwork, human beings understand that they are going there to die, as do their households. over the years u receives used to this, in spite of the indisputable fact that it should not be basic, take convenience contained in the undeniable reality that u are making the perfect days of those human beings better mushy and bearable for them.