(856) 596-1600 | Start a Referral
(856) 596-1600 | Start a Referral
Hospice volunteers provide invaluable support to patients and their families, offering comfort, companionship, and practical assistance during difficult times. These dedicated individuals enhance the quality of life for those receiving hospice care by lending a compassionate presence, assisting with day-to-day tasks, and ensuring no one faces their journey alone.
At Samaritan, our hospice volunteers play a vital role in fulfilling our mission of compassionate care. Whether offering companionship, providing respite care for caregivers, or participating in specialized programs like veteran support or pet therapy, volunteers bring warmth and reassurance to both patients and their loved ones.
Many people choose to become hospice volunteers after experiencing firsthand the difference hospice care made for a family member. Joan Klinger, a Samaritan volunteer, recalls how hospice helped her husband.
“He was treated with respect and dignity” and she, too, “received emotional support from Samaritan’s staff.
This experience led me to become a hospice volunteer.”
Others simply want to give back to their community, like J.S., a retired nurse who found fulfillment in volunteering.
“When I retired, I wanted to find a way to still help people, and volunteering for Samaritan fulfilled that desire.”
Learn more about hospice volunteering in New Jersey at Samaritan and view specific hospice volunteer descriptions. Please note that
Samaritan requires a one-year wait period after a significant loss before a person can begin volunteering or six months to volunteer at the thrift store.
Learn more about becoming a hospice volunteer
Hospice volunteers contribute in various ways, ensuring that both patients and their families receive compassionate support. Here are some of the key roles:
These volunteers provide emotional and social support to patients and caregivers at home or in long-term care facilities. They may:
Vigil volunteers provide comfort during a patient’s final hours, ensuring they are never alone. They offer:
Military veterans can offer unique support to fellow veterans in hospice care by:
Samaritan’s specialized Veterans Hospice Program is a proud participant in the national “We Honor Veterans” program. Samaritan provides thorough training, so volunteers feel comfortable and prepared for this rewarding service for their fellow vets.
Certified therapy dogs bring joy and companionship to patients, offering emotional support and comfort through animal-assisted therapy.
These volunteers provide follow-up support to families who have lost a loved one, offering a listening ear and resources for grief support.
Musically talented volunteers brighten the days of patients in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, providing comfort through live performances.
Samaritan thoroughly screens and trains its volunteers, ensuring safety and quality for patients, families, and the volunteers themselves.
Volunteers with specialized skills can serve on committees that support hospice initiatives, including efforts to assist Kawempe Home Care, our partner hospice in Uganda.
African Global Partnership Committee helps Samaritan engage and educate the community about our sister hospice, Kawempe Home Care, in Uganda. The group helps plan events and sell Ugandan-made jewelry (Beads for Education) and more, with all proceeds going to Kawempe Home Care.
At Samaritan, we ensure that all our hospice volunteers in New Jersey receive comprehensive training and support. If you’re interested in making a difference in the lives of hospice patients and their families, learn more about being a hospice volunteer today.