Beth Hoffmann answers your hospice questions
Q: When I make the choice to start hospice service, does my insurance company direct which hospice I use?
A: No. Patients have the right to choose their hospice provider. Physicians or other caregivers may recommend a hospice, but patient choice must be honored. When looking for a hospice provider, it's important to know all your options.
Volunteer Opportunities
Hospice volunteers are compassionate individuals committed to the hospice philosophy of care and service. They have a respect and reverence for life and consider it a privilege to serve the terminally ill and their families.
Volunteers come from all age groups and walks of life and choose hospice work for a variety of reasons. Hoffmann volunteers are valued members of our hospice team and may choose the type of work for which they are best suited.
Volunteer applicants must be:
- Healthy
- Compassionate
- Emotionally mature
- Nonjudgemental
- Good communicators
- Blessed with a servant's heart
What do Hoffman Hospice volunteers do?
Direct Service Volunteers (nonmedical)
In-home volunteers assist patients and families at home, in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Hours are flexible according to the needs of the patient and family. Duties provided by direct service volunteers may include:
- Companionship
- Caregiver relief
- Transportation
- Light housekeeping or yardwork.
- Running errands
- Sharing your own special talents - music, massage, poetry, reading, etc.
- Bereavement.
Bereavement volunteers provide support to those who have lost a family member of friend. These volunteers may assist the bereavement counselor with home visits, phone calls or letter writing.
Indirect volunteers
Administrative Support Volunteers assist clerical and administrative staff in the office on weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Duties may include:
- Data entry
- Maintenance of medical records
- The assembly of community information packets
- The assembly of bereavement workbooks
- Bulk mailings
Special event volunteers help with programs and fundraising events like Voices of Inspiration and Light up a Life.
Professional volunteers may use the professional skills - massage therapy, manicures, etc. - with proof of license or certification.
Volunteer training and continuing education
Hoffmann Hospice requires volunteers to complete a 32-hour, self-paced training program. Hoffmann also provides ongoing educational opportunities for its volunteers. Prospective volunteers are required to submit an application for registration and complete an interview process. Hoffmann Hospice Volunteers are encouraged to commit to at least one year of service, unless there are unusual circumstances.
Become a Hoffmann Hospice volunteer
Do you have special skills and a willing spirit? Volunteers play a vital role at Hoffmann Hospice and we encourage you to contact us about joining our team of professionals.
Contact: Volunteer Coordinator Kim Pounder (Bakersfield)
online or call 661-410-1010.
Volunteer Coordinator Cindy Tyndall (Palmdale)
online or call 661-272-2355.
Existing Volunteers: Patient Progress Form