Not-for-profit seeking volunteers to visit hospice patients in the community
MUSKEGON, Mich. (Feb. 21, 2023) – By mid-February, most people have abandoned their New Years resolutions, but Hospice of Michigan believes it’s not too late to start something new in 2023. For those looking for opportunities to get more involved in their community, the not-for-profit is seeking compassionate volunteers to help patients and families dealing with life-limiting illnesses throughout Muskegon and surrounding communities.
The not-for-profit has a specific need for area residents who can make a real difference in the lives of others by providing the following services:
- Companionship volunteers, who visit patients living at home or in a facility setting to offer comfort and company.
- Pet volunteers to brighten the day of a fellow pet lover by bringing their furry friends to patients’ homes or care facilities.
- Veteran volunteers, who visit patients who are fellow veterans.
“If you’re someone with a big heart who is looking for a way to get involved in your community, volunteering at Hospice of Michigan is a rewarding way to donate your time,” said Megan Cadle, volunteer program manager at Hospice of Michigan. “One thing we hear from our volunteers is that spending time with hospice patients is truly mutually beneficial. Both the patient and the volunteer enjoy the other’s company and build a unique and unexpected bond.”
All volunteers are required to complete orientation, background checks and fingerprinting prior to volunteering. Volunteers must also be age 18 or older and have received the COVID-19 vaccine. For those who have experienced a recent loss, Hospice of Michigan requires a waiting period of one year before becoming a hospice volunteer to allow for the processing of grief.
Hospice of Michigan volunteers are vital in helping to deliver exceptional, compassionate support to patients and families according to its mission of caring for patients wherever they call home, right in the same community in which its volunteers live.
Those interested in volunteering can contact Megan Cadle at 616-356-5233 or mcadle@hom.org to apply to become a volunteer. To learn more about Hospice of Michigan and apply to become a volunteer, visit hom.org/get-involved.
About Hospice of Michigan
A nationally recognized leader in end-of-life care, Hospice of Michigan (HOM) is the original – and largest – hospice in the state. A founding member of the NorthStar Care Community, the not-for-profit delivers the highest quality of care, raising more than $5 million each year to cover costs for the uninsured and underinsured. HOM offers a broad range of services to enhance the quality of life at the end of life. HOM also provides grief support and counseling, as well as caregiver education and support. A member of the NorthStar Care Community, HOM also provides palliative care through NorthStar Palliative Care, pediatric hospice care and compassionate support services through Jo Elyn Nyman Anchors Programs for Children, and education programs for physicians and health care professionals through the NorthStar Institute. The NorthStar Care Community also includes Arbor Hospice. In total, NorthStar Care Community members serve more than 6,100 patients annually across Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. For more information, call 888-247-5701 or visit www.hom.org.