Hospice patients have a prognosis of 6 months or less to live if their disease follows its normal course. Hospice care is special because it treats the whole person, concentrating on palliative care and comfort - not cure.
Hospice care focuses on the quality of life.
Nature of Service Students volunteering with Caring Hospice receive approximately 14 hours of training in hospice care as part of their volunteer work before being assigned to a hospice patient by the organization. The training is an excellent introduction as well as an explanation of hospice care and the needs of the patient. Once a student is assigned to a patient, they are to provide assistance in daily tasks that may have become difficult for the patient. Most importantly, the student is expected to develop a relationship with the patient and this can be achieved by spending time with them, reading to them, playing simple games or just holding their hand. Volunteer Profile Students who work with the Caring Hospice Program must be compassionate, friendly, outgoing, and enthusiastic.