Got Volunteers? The Selection, Training, Roles, and Impact of Hospice Palliative Care Volunteers in Canada’s Community-Based Volunteer Programs

Abstract

This article provides a brief overview of the selection, training, roles, and impact on family caregivers of community-based hospice palliative care volunteers in Canada. In many Canadian communities, carefully selected and well-trained volunteers are available to provide emotional support, companionship, practical assistance, and other kinds of help and comfort to dying persons and their families, mostly at home. Unfortunately, these services are often underutilized. Anecdotal and empirical evidence suggests that lack of awareness and/or understanding of this beneficial community resource is a major reason for the underutilization of volunteers. Education is the key to promoting awareness. Hopefully, this article will serve to inform both the general public and health care professionals about the volunteers’ background, preparation, roles, and impact on patients and family caregivers.