Volunteering at The Connecticut Hospice

Volunteers are the life-blood of Connecticut Hospice. Hospice care relies on an interdisciplinary team approach of care-giving. Volunteers are needed in many different areas at Connecticut Hospice. See how you can help.

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

Volunteer Training Sessions

 

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.

Volunteer Opportunities at The Connecticut Hospice

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.

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. PEDIATRIC PROGRAM Caring for infants and children and their families COMPASSIONATE SITTER Spending quiet time with a patient. Just being bedside with a patient when loved ones can't. DIVERSIFIED DUTIES Assisting patients during meals, visiting with patients and families, replenishing supplies, and caring for patients' general needs. PASTORAL CARE Providing spiritual comfort to patients and their families. PASTORAL CARE Providing spiritual comfort to patients and their families. ARTS Sharing art forms and music. DEVELOPMENT Securing resources for continued quality care. BEREAVEMENT Reaching out and offering telephone support to families. Facilitating bereavement support groups PET THERAPY Reconnecting with man's best friend TRANSPORTATION Furnishing travel assistance.

HOSPITALITY Attending to the comfort of visitors during their stay at Hospice. RECEPTION Greeting families and visitors, showing them to patients' rooms. GARDENING Beautifying indoor and outdoor environments. SPEAKERS BUREAU Informing and educating the community about our Hospice programs. BUILDING SERVICES Cleaning, fixing, and maintaining property. CLERICAL Providing valuable secretarial services. UNIT CLERKS Coordinating staff and public information. DIETARY Helping serve meals. HARBOUR WATCH Tending our beautiful grounds along Long Island Sound. COMPLIMENTARY MEDICINE Supporting complementary therapy for stress reduction and pain management. SHUTTLE PARKING Transporting visitors from their cars to loved ones.

Clerical Volunteers Needed

Clerical help is needed at the Branford, Shelton, Norwalk and Wallingford
offices helping with general office duties.

Transportation Volunteers Needed

Volunteers are needed to help with:

- Transportation for Home Care patients to their medical appoinments
- Transportation for family members to visit with patient at Hospice
Inpatient Facility
- Transport supplies and messages to satellite offices on a regular basis

Hairdresser and Barber Volunteers are needed

Both at the Inpatient facility along with Home Care needs in Branford, Shelton, Norwalk and Wallingford
areas.

For more information regarding volunteering please call Pat Corradino,
Director of Volunteers at 203-315-7510 or
1-800-8-HOSPICE ext. 510.

Bereavement Support Group Facilitators

Experienced support group facilitators are needed at the Branford location. Group leaders must have evening availability. Contact the Bereavement Department at 203-315-7544.