Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
April 7 to 13 is National Volunteer Week and every single volunteer deserves our appreciation and grateful acknowledgement. Organizations across the country are celebrating the gifts of time and talent that individuals selflessly give to help others. Nowhere is this commitment more valuable and heartfelt than in hospice– and hospice is thriving thanks to its volunteers.
Even when a person is dying, there can be a lot of living to do. Hospice makes it possible by bringing care, compassion and hope to patients and families facing life-limiting illness. Last year, more than 1.6 million Americans received care from our nation’s hospices. Volunteers were a part of this special care that brings compassion and dignity to patients and their families.
Across the U.S., more than 430,000 hospice volunteers give 19 million hours of service every year. Medicare regulations require that at least 5 percent of patient care hours be provided by volunteers.
Hospice volunteers can help in many ways– many assist with direct patient care through visits, others provide general program support such as assistance with clerical projects or fundraising. Whether a volunteer is serving at the bedside, in the office, educating others, or raising awareness, they are the heart of hospice.
Right here in our community, trained volunteers support people during the journey at life’s end and make the mission of CHI Health at Home possible. They give selflessly to help people live as fully as possible, even at end of life. Our community is a better more compassionate place because of their service.
During National Volunteer Week, we honor and celebrate those caring individuals that do so much for so many patients and their families– particularly those hospice volunteers that accompany people during life’s final journey.
To learn more about hospice contact CHI Health at Home at (855) 860-3464. During National Volunteer Week, take time to learn more about volunteering opportunities in your community and ways you can support these faces of caring.
