Patient Care

There are few things more meaningful than assisting patients and families during this sometimes difficult transition in life. Patient Care volunteers help in more ways than we could list.

Following are some of the ways that volunteers offer direct care to our patients and families:

• Respite for Caregivers: giving the caregivers an often much needed break.
• Companionship: a friendly visitor can make all of the difference in the world. Our volunteers may read, take the patient for a walk, assist in letter writing, look at picture books, and listen to music…whatever is meaningful for the patient.
• Therapeutic Art: The creative process is often very relaxing and enjoyable for some patients. HLC maintains art kits with different projects and supplies for our volunteers to bring to patients to explore.
• Pet Visits: Hospice of Larimer County works with registered therapy animals that offer warmth, unconditional love and companionship along with their human handlers.
• Life Stories: Life Stories involves a volunteer "interviewing" a patient and recording their life stories. We would then present the family with a digital recording of their loved one telling their own story.
• Household Support: Patients often express the desire to stay in their homes as long as possible and our volunteer help make this happen by offering household support. Responsibilities include yard maintenance, light cleaning. meal preparation and shopping.

Time Commitment: Each volunteer commits to approximately 2 hours per week. Days and times will vary.

How to Apply:

1. Fill out and submit the Volunteer Application Packet. You can either email it to Volunteers@hlchospice.org or print it out and send it to: Hospice of Larimer County Attn: Volunteer Services 305 Carpenter Rd. Fort Collins, CO 80525

2. Your name will be put onto a registration list for the next volunteer training. Trainings are offered twice a year, in the spring and fall.

3. After you have completed the training, you will be invited to meet with the volunteer services manager. During this meeting, we will get to know you better.

4. You will be required to complete an OSHA and Confidentiality self-study packet and post-quiz. Background checks and drug tests are required for all volunteers working with patients and families.