Volunteers are vital to every hospice team, offering their time to provide comfort and support to patients and their families. While spending time with someone who has a life-limiting illness can be difficult for some, it’s also rewarding to know you can make a meaningful impact. 

At Northern Illinois Hospice, we have several patient visit volunteer opportunities available, and in this blog, we’re highlighting some ways you can get involved.

Patient visit companion

Our patient visitors are a vital part of our volunteer team. Having the opportunity to spend one-on-one time with patients can bring kindness and comfort. Simply having a familiar face visit often can bring joy to those receiving hospice care.

These visits help patients feel less alone and give them something to look forward to. As a volunteer, you may make connections with patients and their families that will leave a lasting impact.

We strive to pair patients and volunteers with similar interests and backgrounds, ensuring that their time together is meaningful and engaging. Activities may vary depending on the person, but some popular options include:

• Arts and crafts
• Jigsaw puzzles
• Listening to memories
• Reading and writing
• Playing board or card games
• Enjoying music
• Going for a walk

Each visit may look different, but what matters most is showing up and being there. Whether they want to do fun activities or need someone to listen, volunteers can help combat loneliness and bring joy. 

Family assistance

While our volunteers spend a significant amount of time supporting hospice patients, they can also assist their families. Our family assistance volunteers work closely with families to allow them to take breaks or help out around the home.

Depending on what families need. Some of the ways you can help include:

• Sitting with patients while their caregiver rests or leaves for an appointment or errands
• Helping with light housekeeping or organizing the home
• Yardwork
• Pet care

Every small act of service can make a BIG difference for a family. Simply providing a helping hand allows family members to rest, bringing them peace of mind during a difficult time. Your help ensures families can spend meaningful time together and be fully present. 

Make a real difference by volunteering with Northern Illinois Hospice 

At Northern Illinois Hospice, we’re always looking for volunteers to pair with our hospice patients. Whether you can offer a few hours of your time or more, every moment of presence you spend is enough to leave a lasting impact. 

Volunteering is the perfect opportunity to meet new people, acquire new skills, and make a difference in someone else’s life. You’ll have opportunities to grow by serving others. We provide orientation, so you can feel comfortable and confident stepping into a volunteer role with us. 

Learn more about how to give back by visiting our website. 

Northern Illinois Hospice is here to provide compassionate end-of-life care

At Northern Illinois Hospice, we understand that every hospice journey is unique, which is why each care plan is tailored to the person’s goals and wishes. We take that information and create a team of individuals that can provide compassionate end-of-life care for your loved one. 

As the first hospice provider in the region, Northern Illinois Hospice has been helping people transition to hospice care for more than 45 years. Our care team provides compassionate end-of-life care to individuals with life-limiting illnesses.

We honor patients and their wishes by providing specialized care that treats the person, not the disease. We offer a wide range of palliative and hospice care to improve your loved one’s quality of life in their final months.

Our experienced team of healthcare professionals, social workers, and volunteers is here to ensure your loved one’s comfort and support.

Get even more support with The Reading Room

Because hospice care offers so many services and benefits to patients, families, and providers, it can sometimes feel overwhelming to navigate. That’s why we created The Reading Room.

The Reading Room is a special place where people can learn and grow in their understanding of hospice and palliative care, anytime and anywhere. It’s like having a whole library in the palm of your hand or with a click of your mouse. With dozens of articles and helpful how-to videos in both English and Spanish, The Reading Room can serve as a helpful guide. 

To learn more about our palliative or hospice services or how we can help you navigate end-of-life care for your loved ones, call us today at (815) 398-0500.