VITAS Innovative Hospice Care of Palm Beach has put out a call for volunteers.
Volunteers are needed to help assist in the office and other administrative tasks. There are also volunteer opportunities to people willing to serve as friendly visitors for patients throughout Palm Beach County, as well as friendly, well-behaved pets to join the Paw Pals program, in which animals and their humans learn how to visit patients at the end of life. A registered VITAS Paw Pals visitor can offer comfort, bring back memories, encourage activity and provide unconditional love to patients. Paw Pals must be well-groomed and have up-to-date health records.
Volunteer opportunities suit all abilities and interests. VITAS volunteers visit patients in their homes, nursing homes or assisted-living communities, provide support to veterans at the end of life, bring their well-behaved pet for a loving, furry visit, do some household repairs, or help in the office, among other jobs. Volunteers are trained in listening skills, understanding family dynamics and the right words to say to terminally ill patients and their loved ones.
“Volunteers are essential to hospice care. They help by easing the load often placed on family members who are caring for their loved ones,” Volunteer Services Manager Gayle Stevens said. “Because of this, volunteers have a role in a patient’s well-being and the care they receive.”
Assignments are made according to the volunteer’s location preference and work and family schedules. For more information, call Stevens at (561) 733-6332 or e-mail gayle.stevens@vitas.com.
