LAKEPORT >> National Volunteer Week is April 11 — 16 and Hospice Services of Lake County honors its core of dedicated volunteers who provide support and companionship to patients who are facing serious and life-limiting illnesses and their loved ones.
We could not do the work we do without the gifts of time and talent from our hospice volunteers who support our organization and walk with patients and families during the journey at life’s end.
Here in Lake County, 150 volunteers provide 15,000 hours per year to help Hospice Services care for patients and families in the community.
Hospice volunteers often visit patients and families in the home but they also assist in the office, help raise awareness, serve on our Board of Directors, contribute to educational programs, provide fundraising support, and volunteer in the three Hospice Thrift Stores in Lakeport, Middletown and Clearlake.
Hospice volunteers help the people they serve live every moment of life to the fullest. Most hospice volunteers choose to give their time helping others because of their own experience with the compassionate care hospice provided to a dying loved one.
It is federally mandated under Medicare that 5 percent of all patient care hours be provided by trained volunteers. This regulation reflects the vital role that volunteers play in the hospice philosophy of care and ensures that a hospice program has roots deep in the community.
For those interested in having a Community Ambassador speak to your group about the services we provide, or if you’re ready to have a nurse come to your home and talk with you about hospice care, or learning more about hospice or volunteer opportunities, please call Hedy Montoya at 263-6222 or hmontoya@lakecountyhospice.org.
Corrigan Gommenginger is executive director of Hospice Services of Lake County
