National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization salutes the estimated 468,000 trained hospice volunteers that provide more than 22 million hours of service every year to our nation’s hospice programs.
National Volunteer Week is April 10 through 16, and those dedicated individuals offering support, companionship, and hope to those facing a life-limiting illness deserve special recognition for the difference they make in America.
“Hospice volunteers play an indispensible role in enabling hospice and palliative care organizations to offer the best care possible for patients living with life-limiting illness, their families and caregivers,” said J. Donald Schumacher, NHPCO president and CEO. “By sharing their time, energy, and expertise, our volunteers bring compassion and caring to the lives of those in need.”
It is federally mandated under Medicare that five percent of all patient care hours be provided by trained volunteers.
This regulation reflects the vital role that volunteers play in the hospice philosophy of care and ensures that a hospice program has roots deep in the community.
Each year hospice salutes their volunteers with special recognition ceremonies for their commitment to caring for those in their community with compassion, dignity, and respect.
Whether hospice volunteers are able to give an hour or a day their time is always needed and the return of the investment of time is always great.
Locally, Mountain Regional Hospice will salute their Volunteers at the First Christian Church in Covington on May 19 at 6 p.m.
For more information on how to become a hospice volunteer, call Tanuny Aldridge, Volunteer Coordinator at 862-8820.