Our Volunteer Caregivers
What if there was someone you could rely on when you needed a break? A kind, supportive person who understands what it's like to be a caregiver — someone you know will help?
There is someone to call: A Patient Care Volunteer.
Your Allies in the Daily Struggle
Any Burke Hospice patient can request a volunteer join their Care Team. We highly recommend including a volunteer because of the valuable support they can provide to caregivers and families.
Most of our Patient Care Volunteers were once helped by hospice themselves. They were caregivers to parents, siblings, spouses, children. They felt the same stresses and struggles you may be feeling right now.
Check out the many volunteer opportunities available for you.
Patient Care--This is our single biggest need. Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy talking with people and swapping stories? Are you patient and compassionate? Our patients would love to have you for a friend. You can bring them companionship and a link to the outside world. You may choose to visit patients’ homes, nursing facilities, or our Hospice House. Scheduling is flexible.
Every Patient Care Volunteer will have his or her special experiences and insight to share with your family. Their primary goal is to ease the stress on patient and caregiver.
- Give "rest breaks" for tired caregivers
- Keep patients company with social visits
- Listen - Provide emotional support
- Check in with friendly phone calls
- Assist family members with small tasks
We try to match volunteers and families with similar interests or backgrounds. The volunteer will schedule visits with the family as both their schedules allow. Visits can include anything from conversation to card games:
- Talking about memories (and recording them)
- Looking at family photo albums
- Reading books or poetry aloud
- Playing games
- Watching TV or movies
- Watching "the game"
- Listening to music
- Praying or reading from religious texts
Hospice House Greeters--Welcome visitors to the Hospice House with a compassionate smile. Greeters are needed throughout the week and weekend.
Vet-to-Vet --The Vet-to-Vet Volunteer Program pairs recruited Veteran Volunteers with hospice patients who have been identified as Veterans. Once paired with hospice patients who also have military experience, Veteran Volunteers have the unique ability to relate and connect with Veteran patients and their families.
Thrifts & Gifts Store--You’ll never know what might come in the door at our Thrifts & Gifts store in downtown Valdese. Hang clothes, greet shoppers, and and help display our donated treasures!
Bereavement Support--Walk beside those who have lost a loved one on their new path. Combine phone calls with cards, emails, and maybe some in-person visits.
“Bouquet Buddies”--Take a large floral arrangement donated to our House and create special bouquets and displays for the patients’ rooms. Use your creativity!
”Friends of Hospice” Crafts Committee--Brighten our patients’ days by making small gifts and crafts. Meets monthly.
Administrative Assistance--Sort, file, fold, answer phones, and more! Let us know if you have computer skills.
Ambassadors — These volunteers serve as a special liaison between the faith community and Burke Hospice & Palliative Care. They help educate the faith community on the services & programs offered by Burke Hospice & Palliative Care.
Our volunteers often have their own suggestions for things to do. The goal of the visit is simply to bring a little sunshine into a patient's life.
The New Friend You Can Rely On
Our volunteers undergo a rigorous training program which includes much of the same material required for our staff. They are background-checked, drug tested and medically screened, just like our employees. Because of the extensive vetting process, families can feel as confident inviting our volunteer into their home as our nurse or social worker.
If you could use the kind of help a volunteer can give, please call us at 828/879-1601 and ask for the Volunteer Director. We would be delighted to introduce you to your new friend!
