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The First Hospice Serving Connecticut & the Nation Established 1974

 

 

 

 

Volunteering at the Connecticut Hospice

homeport

The Connecticut Hospice, Inc. is recognized internationally as a health care provider that originated hospice care in America in 1974 providing compassionate and expert care to patients and their families coping with an irreversible illness.  Care is provided by a team of professionals from various disciplines, including medical, spiritual care, social work, dietary, the arts and pharmacy.  Volunteers are an important part of this interdisciplinary team and have been widely recognized for their work.

We offer speakers who will come and speak to your group/organization regarding hospice care in general and in detail.  If you are interested in a speaker please contact Patricia Corradino at (203)315-7510 or email pnowak@hospice.com.

Sincerely,

Patricia A. Corradino

Director of Volunteer Services

Enhancing the Quality of Life, for as long as life lasts...

Connecticut Hospice is recognized internationally as a not-for-profit healthcare provider that originated hospice care in America with volunteers. For more than a quarter century Connecticut Hospice staff and volunteers have provided "around the clock" compassionate and expert care to patients and their families coping with an irreversible illness.

Volunteer in hospital and home environments...

American hospice care began with a home care program in New Haven in 1974, and when the needs of patients could no longer be met solely through home care, Connecticut Hospice opened the nation's first hospice hospital in Branford, Connecticut in 1980. Today volunteers work alongside Connecticut Hospice staff members continuing to provide palliative care in Connecticut Hospice's premier hospital in Branford, and in homes across Connecticut.

Share Connecticut Hospice with your community...

As a teaching and research institution under the John D. Thompson Hospice Institute, Connecticut Hospice shares its principles of palliative care with both professional and lay communities. Volunteers provide community outreach via the Institute's Speakers Bureau bringing an overview of Connecticut Hospice's healthcare programs to various civic groups throughout the year.

Join the Connecticut Hospice Team...

Hospice care relies on an interdisciplinary team approach of caregiving. A skilled team of staff and volunteers cater to the control of medical, social, psychological and spiritual symptoms of the patient and family. Volunteers bring comfort to patients and their families through their work in various areas such as medical care, pastoral care, social work, dietary, the arts, and bereavement.

Reach out to others...

Volunteers interact with patients and family members of all ages - infants, children, young adults and the elderly. There are volunteer opportunities to comfort, attend to, share a laugh, reassure, do something creative, treasure a memory, or spend quite time at a patient's bedside - just being there so a patient never feels alone.

While hospice care is now recognized by major insurance plans, no one is turned away for lack of money. Contributions and a strong, well-trained and dedicated volunteer force help defray costs necessary to provide hospice care of the highest quality. Connecticut Hospice could not provide the level of hospice care it is known for without its volunteers. Hundreds of volunteers support and enhance hospice services provided by paid staff. Our volunteers are well known for their work, and have received national acclaim including a presidential award, under the 1,000 Points of Light Program.

Responding to needs, wherever they exist...

Connecticut Hospice volunteers themselves are a diverse and talented group. They include professionals from many areas, homemakers, retirees, and students. Connecticut Hospice works with local colleges to coordinate volunteerism with various community action programs. In addition to junior and senior high school and college levels, even grade school children "volunteer" for special projects like sending holiday cards and singing to patients and families.

Share your time and talents...

Volunteer work is varied. No task is too big or too small. As patient and families needs change, so do volunteer opportunities. We make every effort to match your interests and talents with the needs of our patients and families. Connecticut Hospice defines the value of volunteerism by the comfort of our patients and families.

Four hours to change a life...

All new volunteers attend orientation and training with ongoing support from our staff and experienced volunteers. While we ask for a minimum 4 hour weekly commitment, we are flexible to meet your scheduling needs. Also, we can work with you or your organization for special one-time volunteer projects such as fund-raising or a holiday event.

Give Back...

Volunteers come specifically to Connecticut Hospice for different reasons. Some remember a friend or family member who received hospice care and others want to explore new life experiences. Most volunteers express a desire to "give back" for a kindness they experienced within their lives. In addition, nearly all volunteers express that they find their reward in the privilege of serving others.

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Volunteer Opportunities

Quality of Care Roles in the In-Patient and Home Care settings.

INPATIENT AND HOMECARE

Assisting with physical and emotional needs of patients and their families through hands-on care in both the inpatient and homecare setting.

RECEPTION

Greeting families and visitors, showing them to patients' rooms.

PEDIATRIC PROGRAM

Caring for infants and children and their families

GARDENING

Beautifying indoor and outdoor environments.

COMPASSIONATE SITTER

Spending quiet time with a patient. Just being bedside with a patient when loved ones can't.

SPEAKERS BUREAU

Informing and educating the community about our Hospice programs.

DIVERSIFIED DUTIES

Assisting patients during meals, visiting with patients and families, replenishing supplies, and caring for patients' general needs.

BUILDING SERVICES

Cleaning, fixing, and maintaining property.

PASTORAL CARE

Providing spiritual comfort to patients and their families.

CLERICAL

Providing valuable secretarial services.

ARTS

Sharing art forms and music.

UNIT CLERKS

Coordinating staff and public information.

DEVELOPMENT

Securing resources for continued quality care.

DIETARY

Helping serve meals.

BEREAVEMENT

Counseling and supporting loved ones.

HARBOUR WATCH

Tending our beautiful grounds along Long Island Sound.

PET THERAPY

Reconnecting with man's best friend

COMPLIMENTARY MEDICINE

Supporting complementary therapy for stress reduction and pain management.

TRANSPORTATION

Furnishing travel assistance.

SHUTTLE PARKING

Transporting visitors from their cars to loved ones.

HOSPITALITY

Attending to the comfort of visitors during their stay at Hospice.

 For more information please send email to: pnowak@hospice.com

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FIRST THURSDAY AT THE CONNECTICUT HOSPICE, INC.

100 DOUBLE BEACH ROAD
BRANFORD, CT 05405

The Connecticut Hospice, Inc. invites you to attend an informational session
Thursday, March 1, 2012 2pm

All of your questions about Hospice
history, philosophy and care giving will be addressed. Please call Pat Corradino at 203-315-7510 for reservation.

VOLUNTEER AT THE CONNECTICUT HOSPICE, INC.

If you or someone you know is looking for an opportunity to serve others in your community, we would like to hear from you.  Our patients and families are in need of your care and support.  As a CONNECTICUT HOSPICE VOLUNTEER,  you can fill your hours (weekdays/evenings or weekends) by assisting in an administrative capacity or offering direct care as a friendly visitor, provide pastoral or bereavement care, help in the arts or meet transportation needs. 

For more information please call Pat Corradino, Director of Volunteer Services at 203-315-7510.  You can also email pnowak@hospice.com.

Clerical Help Needed

The Connecticut Hospice, Inc. is in need of clerical help at our Branford,
Norwalk, Shelton and Wallingford offices. For more infomation please call
Pat Corradino, Director of Volunteer Services at 203-315-7510 or email
pnowak@hospice.com.

Courier Volunteers Needed

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Transports supplies and messages to satellite offices on a regular basis.
  • Transports family members to and from Hospice Inpatient.
  • Transports Home Care patients to and from medical appointments.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Knowledge of Hospice Philosophy and program of care
  • Be a compassionate, caring person
  • Reliable Responsible
  • Good/Safe driver
  • Current driver's license and insurance
  • Ability to use own car and/or Hospice Vehicles
  • Successfully completed interview process by Director of Volunteer Services
  • Attends mandatory OSHA In-service (Infection Control, Fire Safety and Hazardous Waste In-Services annually)

ORIENTATION:

  • Attend Volunteer Orientation

ASSIGNMENT:

  • On-call

For re information please send email to: