Direct Care Volunteers

Hospice of Southern Maine provides a comprehensive training program and ongoing support to volunteers working with our patients and their families. The initial training ensures that volunteers have the skills and confidence to be well prepared for this role. No healthcare background is needed.

Volunteers complete the professional circle of hospice care. In addition to being good listeners, our volunteers are compassionate, reliable, and non-judgmental. They enjoy working with all types of people. Direct Care Volunteers provide non-medical aid and support in the following ways:

Providing companionship and emotional support for patients, caregivers, and families
Providing respite care to allow caregivers time to themselves
Assisting with errands
Helping with light household chores or light meal prep
Providing bedside companionship for patients alone in their final hours
Assisting with life review, letter writing, or completion of projects
Offering grief support following the death of a loved one
Providing therapy dog (PawPrints), music (Heartstrings Program) or reiki visits
Kitchen support at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House

Commitment and Requirements:

Completion of application packet
Completion of the 30-hour Hospice Volunteer Training
Favorable background check
Substance abuse testing with a negative result
Mandatory TB Screening and immunization documentation
Documentation of COVID-19 vaccination
Annual flu vaccination
A minimum commitment of 3-4 hours per week for a minimum of 1 year
Volunteers must complete all annual requirements.

If you have recently experienced a significant loss, it is recommended that you wait at least one year before volunteering in a Direct Care capacity. During that year, you may choose to volunteer as an Administrative/Special Event Volunteer.

For more information on the application process and our next volunteer training, please visit the Volunteer homepage.

From Our Volunteers

“It was probably one of the most honest and non-judgmental relationships without expectations that I have ever been privileged to have. And it’s made me a much better person.” —Lora Larrivee