Volunteer Opportunities

Visits are made to the patient’s location (e.g. extended care facility, nursing home or private home) to spend time interacting with the patient and providing support.  The objective is to offer companionship and give their caregiver a much-needed break. 

We Honor Veterans is a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization that invites and empowers hospices to recognize the unique needs of America’s Veterans and their families, to care for and honor those who have served when they reach the end of their life.

Check-in volunteers contact our hospice patients and their caregivers every Thursday to ensure they have the supplies and support they need prior to the weekend.

Visits are made to the patient’s location and time is spent interacting with the patient or family to capture memories in a variety of

ways.

Assist with getting groceries/household

items, medical supplies or equipment to our patients and their caregivers.

Believing that no one should die alone, these special volunteers provide a presence and comfort to dying patients who have no family available for support during the final hours of life.

Many patients would benefit from wellness

services (e.g., massage, Reiki, haircutting, nail care, music therapy, pet therapy, or art therapy, aromatherapy, etc.) but are not able to leave their location.

Patient support volunteering doesn’t stop at

the death of a patient. CareFirstNY Grief Services staff and bereavement volunteers follow the patient’s loved ones for 12 months after death.  These specialized volunteers make condolence calls to support grieving families throughout the next year after a loss.

Pets play an important role when their human

is facing a serious illness. The Pet Peace of Mind initiative provides volunteer pet care services for patients who are unable to care for their pets while on hospice. Services include dog walking, pet waste clean-up, transporting the pet to veterinary or grooming appointments, pet boarding/fostering, and more.