Become A Hospice Volunteer
Become a Lily Hospice volunteer! Lily Hospice volunteers in Southeastern and Western Wisconsin (Milwaukee and Eau Claire areas) work side-by-side with the hospice team. Volunteers are an important and vital part of the services that we provide to the patients in our care.
Your talents and experiences can make a difference in the lives of our patients. Some of the Lily volunteer jobs are listed below. Do you have something else to offer? Reach out to us. Your skills may be exactly what our patients need.
Volunteering with Patients
Companionship: Your friendly presence is usually enough. But you can also:
- Listen to patient life stories and memories
- Offer to read to the patient or play music or games
- Take the patient for a walk or sit outside
- Sit side-by-side and watch a movie
- Share common interests such as gardening, sports, travel, hobbies, etc.
- Hold a hang, give a hug (with permission), offer comfort
- Work on a craft project together
- Celebrate life and important moments, such as birthdays, anniversaries, holidays
- Share your own talents, hobbies, skills and interests
Respite Support: Stay with the patient while the family caregiver enjoys a moment alone to run errands, make appointments, or simply take the time for some self-care.
Final Hours Vigil: Support fragile patients who may be alone during their final days or hours. Bring a sense of peace, calm, and comfort to the patient and their environment. Our hope is that no one dies alone.
We Honor Veterans Program: Help us to recognize and honor the veterans in our care.
- Vet-to-Vet Companion: Volunteers with a military background are paired with similar patients to enjoy the camaraderie and simple companionship of another veteran.
- Veteran Honor Guard: Take part in individual pinning ceremonies or other outreach events recognizing veterans in our community.
Musicians: Do you sing or play an instrument? Share your talents and gifts through music.
Fur-Get-Me-Not Friends: So many patients in hospice care no longer have their once loved furry friends nearby. Pet therapy animals bring incredible joy.
Helping Out Behind the Scenes
Office Administrative Support: Work behind the scenes. Assemble mailings, training materials, and intake forms.
Creative Gifts: Use your creative and artistic skills to bring joy. Create cards and gifts for specific patients, and/or cherished memories for their loved ones.
How to Become a Lily Hospice Volunteer
Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age, complete a background check and interview, and undergo training.
No previous hospice experience or medical background is necessary. We will teach you about hospice, and provide you with tips and tricks to have meaningful visits with hospice patients. Consider what a person facing their own end-of-life may be thinking about. Learn how to work with people with dementia. Become a better friend to people in hospice and people in your daily life.
While hospice volunteering is extremely rewarding, it can also be emotionally challenging. Volunteers with self-care routines are better suited to this work. If someone close to you has died within the last year, we suggest you give yourself time to grieve before joining our team.
To become a Lily Hospice volunteer, call 262-235-3115 or apply using one of the links below.