At VITAS Innovative Hospice Care of Palm Beach County, hospice care is a team effort. An interdisciplinary team of nurses, chaplains, social workers, physicians and aides blend their individual expertise into an integrated whole that becomes the VITAS signature: excellent, compassionate end-of-life care that meets the special needs of each patient and family. Volunteers are also part of the team at VITAS, where the role of the volunteer is especially valued and respected. VITAS, after all, began as a volunteer organization over 30 years ago, and has since evolved into the nation’s leading provider of end-of-life care.

Christie Geltz, Volunteer Services Manager at VITAS of Palm Beach County, says that while volunteering definitely provides comfort to patients and families, plus support to the healthcare team, it can also be an extraordinary experience for the volunteers themselves. “Our volunteers tell me how much they personally benefit from the experience. They describe it as deeply fulfilling and have wonderful stories. So many say, ‘This is the best thing I have ever done.’ They’re grateful for the opportunity to contribute in such a meaningful way.

“Most people have known someone who received hospice care – perhaps a family member. They may be looking for a way to give back, in gratitude. There are many ways to give back, and one of the best ways is by volunteering.”

(l-r) Suzanne Kerce with her dog Annie; Laura Souza with her dog Gianna Marie; and Gerry Cohen with his dog Casey.

Volunteers contribute an essential element to hospice care, where the emphasis is on relationships, quality of life and dignity at the end of life. They provide a warm and caring human presence, there to listen to concerns and fears, to appreciate life stories and memories, to lend a helping hand with simple, non-medical tasks and to lighten the load of a family. A VITAS volunteer might take the patient on an outing, or spend time at the bedside chatting, reading or playing cards. They perform light housekeeping chores, run errands and watch TV with the patient. Most importantly, according to Geltz, volunteers give their full attention to the patient.

“The volunteer is a friend to the patient. They aren’t family and they aren’t medical professionals. The focus is completely on the patient as a person.”

There are many ways to volunteer at VITAS, and those who do not wish to work directly with patients can participate in other ways. Geltz has developed a creative range of options that include providing clerical support to the staff, assisting with special events and mailings or making phone calls to patients. Specialty programs make it possible for even the homebound to volunteer, through a sewing program. “We have a Memory Bear program,” Geltz explains. “When a patient dies, the family gives us an article of clothing and our sewing volunteers use it to make a stuffed bear as a keepsake for the family. Volunteers donate the buttons, thread and stuffing. We have volunteers who make quilts, crocheted booties and lap blankets for patients.”

One of the most popular volunteer programs is known as Paw Pals – dogs and their owners who visit hospice patients in nursing homes, hospitals and assisted living facilities. One Paw Pal, a 3 year old Shih Tzu whose name is Gianna Marie, began her training as a therapy dog at 6 months of age. Her owner, Laura Souza, says Gianna has a sweet, outgoing personality that makes her well suited to visiting patients. “Gianna and I volunteer 30 to 40 hours a month; she loves her ‘work.’ She gives unconditional love to everyone and gets patients to laugh and talk. They look forward to her visits.” Gianna rides in a little stroller as she makes her rounds, wearing clothing from her collection of special outfits. “This brings such joy to me,” says Souza. “Gianna makes people happy. Even some who are not fully alert and oriented seem to respond to her; they somehow sense that she’s there.”

VITAS provides a comprehensive orientation program at no cost for new volunteers. The training covers such basics as confidentiality and infection control and offers an introduction to hospice philosophy and grief. In addition, volunteers may attend staff in-services/training sessions. Once the orientation is completed, Geltz matches volunteers with patients, asking for a minimum commitment of two hours, once a week. She tries to place volunteers as close to their homes as possible. “We have more than 80 volunteers, ranging in age from 20 to 80,” she says, “and we’d love to have more people join our team. In general, volunteers should be at least 18 but we make exceptions with parental permission. The volunteers are mostly women but men can do this, too, and more men are needed. Our volunteers come from all backgrounds. At VITAS, we appreciate them so much. Volunteers make a huge difference to our patients, their families and our staff. They are miracle workers.”