Hospice of Michigan and Arbor Hospice, both members of NorthStar Care Community, are celebrating their dedicated team of statewide volunteers during National Volunteer Week, April 16-22.
Hospice care is a critical aspect of healthcare that provides support and comfort during the final stages of life, and volunteers play a vital role in that. The not-for-profits rely on volunteers across the state to deliver companionship and emotional support to patients and families during one of life’s most vulnerable times.
“Volunteers are the heart and soul of hospice care – compassionate, caring individuals who enjoy bringing comfort and dignity to patients and their families,” said Alison Wagner, director of volunteer services and integrative therapies for Hospice of Michigan and Arbor Hospice. “National Volunteer Week is a special time to recognize those who donate their time and energy to give back to others. We truly thank every single one of our more than 550 volunteers across the state for their kindness and dedication.”
Hospice volunteers are selfless and dedicated individuals. Hospice of Michigan and Arbor Hospice are proud to celebrate those who generously give their time and talents to help others. Serving as an essential part of the healthcare team, volunteers offer countless benefits to the patients, families and not-for-profits they serve. Some examples of this include:
- Listening to patients during companionship visits
- Providing moments of relief for caregivers and family members
- Bringing joy to patients with fun and relaxing pet visits
- Handwriting cards to remind patients they are not alone
- Offering a helping hand at fundraising events
- Helping with office work to support the not-for-profits mission of Every Person, Every Time
No special experience is required to volunteer. For those who have experienced a loss, the organizations encourage a waiting period of one year before becoming a hospice volunteer to allow for the processing of grief.
To learn more about becoming a volunteer with Hospice of Michigan, visit hom.org. To learn more about becoming a volunteer with Arbor Hospice, visit arborhospice.org.
About NorthStar Care Community
NorthStar Care Community (NSCC) was created to preserve and promote the mission of nonprofit hospice and palliative care – to deliver expert, compassionate care to patients of any age, no matter their diagnoses, complexity of care, place of residence or ability to pay. NorthStar Care Community was formed in 2017 by two legacy nonprofit hospice agencies – Hospice of Michigan and Arbor Hospice – and also includes NorthStar Palliative Care, the NorthStar Institute and Jo Elyn Nyman Anchors Programs for Children. As members of the NSCC family, the organizations combine operational resources in order to maximize support at each patient’s bedside, delivering the highest standards of care to those who are seriously ill. In total, NorthStar Care Community members serve more than 6,100 patients annually across Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. For more information about NorthStar Care Community, visit www.northstarcarecommunity.org.