Bridge Hospice Seeking Volunteers

Hospice programs throughout the United States rely heavily on volunteers to assist in providing support for terminally ill patients and their families. Bridge Hospice, a division of Blanchard Valley Health System, has many dedicated volunteers throughout its service area, but more volunteers are needed to assist the program, which is growing. Bridge volunteers receive hours of extensive training, preparing them to best make a difference in the lives of patients and families.

Bridge Hospice volunteers understand they play an important role in providing quality hospice care. Trained volunteers help fulfill the mission of Bridge Hospice by providing patients and families with the following: 

Respite/Caregiver Relief

A volunteer stays with the patient, giving the caregiver a short break so that he or she can have lunch, go to the doctor, run errands, or just take a moment for themselves.

Friendly Visits

Volunteers visit and offer companionship to patients and their families both at home and in nursing facilities.

Vigils

Experienced volunteers provide the gift of presence during the final hours when families cannot be present.

Bereavement Support

Volunteers accompany families to support groups, offer companionship, and act as activity leaders to children during the Group S.T.A.R. program.

Gift of Dreams

This is a group of dedicated volunteers whose purpose is to help improve the quality of life for Bridge Hospice patients. This mission is fulfilled by granting patients’ wishes, providing HOPE (the hospice bear), remembering birthdays and anniversaries, and providing items for loan to patients, including wheelchair ramps. The Gift of Dreams is supported in part by memorial donations.

Administrative Support

Volunteers assist office staff with routine but necessary tasks such as mailings, filing, data entry, etc., on either a routine or casual basis.

Bridge volunteer training programs are held throughout the year in several locations. Volunteers are needed in Hancock, Wood, Seneca, Putnam, and surrounding counties.

If you would like to learn more about Bridge Hospice volunteer services, or to take advantage of the services offered by our hospice volunteers, please contact our volunteer coordinator at 419.423.5351.