What Does a Hospice Volunteer Look LIke?

There is no single answer. Hospice volunteers come in all shapes and sizes and perform a variety of services from direct patient care to selling in our thrift stores or working at fundraising events. Whatever scenario fits your unique skills and personality, we need you. The hospice philosophy is Neighbors Helping Neighbors. You can be part of a wonderful team of local people (we're 500 strong) that serve others. Currently, our volunteers contribute 52,000 hours a year to a mission that is rewarding, fulfilling and worthwhile on many levels. Click here to read about Ocala's Volunteer of the Year, a 15-year volunteer with Hospice of Marion County.

Want to know more?

Volunteering is not only a good thing to do...it's good for you! Statistics shows that people who volunteer are healthier and happier. It is a fact so well-documented it's known as "helper's high."
Did you know that volunteers have...
......a life expectancy of 2.5 times longer
........less depression and a more optimistic outlook
..........better weight control
...........greater relaxation and improved sleep
.............a stronger immune system
..............less pain and faster recovery from illness/surgery
...............an increase in interpersonal and communication skills

For the full list of benefits, check out the studies for yourself on our Resources page under Volunteering.

21 Ways to Feel Good About Yourself

There are as many ways to volunteer as there are individual volunteers. Hours are flexible and seasonal volunteers are welcome. Here are just a few areas where you can feel good about what you're giving:

1. Run errands for a family
2. Provide emotional support and friendship
3. Give a caregiver some much needed rest
4. Spend time holding a hand, talking, listening
5. Visit patients in hospitals, assisted living or skilled nursing facilities
6. Greet visitors at one of our four Hospice Houses
7. Be a phone buddy for a patient who lives alone
8. Assist with clerical work in one of our administrative offices
9. Join the Speakers Bureau to inform the community about hospice services
10. Provide office support for many departments
11. Help with fundraisers, community activities and special events
12. Be a sales associate at one of our three Hospice Thrift Stores, with locations in Belleview, Silver Springs Shores and SR 200.
13. Attend health fairs to share information about hospice
14. Translate foreign languages
15. Help in the kitchen of one of our Hospice Houses
16. Provide volunteer support at Ocala Regional Medical Center's Oncology Department as one of our Hospice "Yellow Jackets"
17. Play instruments for patients and families
18. Participate at Camp Mariposa, a bereavement camp for children held three times a year.
19. Make phone calls to bereaved families
20. Facilitate exercise and entertainment activities at SummerField Suites, a lovely and active Assisted Living Facility near The Villages.
21. Assist patients with recording stories of their lives as a legacy to their family and friends.

Volunteer Orientation Training: Regardless of which aspect you may choose, all volunteers are required to attend a basic orientation to familiarize themselves with the programs of Hospice of Marion County. Following this class, there is specialized training focused on the volunteer's specific area of choice. Onsite training is also provided to the volunteer in the chosen area of assistance.

Read our current newsletter!

Download an Application to Become a Hospice Volunteer