Volunteer and make ‘Caring for Life’ your resolution for 2018

Make a New Year’s Resolution that not only makes you feel good, but helps improve the lives of hundreds of patients in Anne Arundel and Prince George’s counties. Become a Hospice of the Chesapeake volunteer.

Hospice volunteers help the people they serve live every moment of life to the fullest. Though many serve patients and families at the bedside, they also assist in the office, help raise awareness, contribute to educational programs and provide fundraising support and more. Free training is provided -- in fact, many enjoy taking advantage of the variety of complimentary learning opportunities offered to volunteers and staff.

There is an immediate need for the following volunteers:

• Patient Visitors provide companionship and a supportive presence for our patients and respite for caregivers. They offer a listening ear, open mind and loving heart to those in our care.
• Veteran-to-Veteran Volunteer: These are patient visitors who have a military background who are assigned to visit patients who are veterans.
• Licensed cosmetologists provide haircuts and other grooming to our patients in their homes.
• Musicians and artists: There is a particular need for musicians and artists to supplement the Healing Arts program that also includes licensed massage therapists, and people who perform Aromatherapy, Comfort Touch, acupuncture and reiki.
• Pet therapy: Licensed pet therapists as well as pet owners who have certified comfort animals.
• Four-wheel drivers: Insured drivers with four-wheel drive vehicles are needed in both counties, but particularly in Prince George’s County, to be on-call to help drive health care team members and patients during inclement weather.

Become a hospice volunteer if you are age 18 or older and willing to complete volunteer training. Opportunities also exist for high school students and internships are available. Contact Lydia Vincek at [email protected] or 443-837-1508 or visit www.hospicechesapeake.org/volunteer for more information and to download an application.