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Even at the end of life, there can be a lot of living to do. Hospice volunteers help patients and families create meaningful moments and lasting memories. Right here in the community, 42 trained volunteers work with Compassus hospice patients and families, giving selflessly to help people live as fully as possible at the end of life.

In times of crisis, volunteers are even more integral to the health and safety of vulnerable patients. Volunteers are lending their time in different ways: shopping for groceries and supplies and delivering meals to the patients and loved ones Compassus serves. Through every face-to-face interaction, the support of Compassus volunteers is unwavering. The community is a better, more compassionate place because of their service.

Across the U.S., more than 420,000 hospice volunteers give more than 19 million hours of service every year. Hospice volunteers are an indispensable part of the care team, bringing companionship to people in the final months and weeks of life, providing respite to families and caregivers and supporting the administrative responsibilities of hospice programs.

April 20-26 is National Volunteer Week, and every single volunteer deserves appreciation and grateful acknowledgement.  

Anyone who may be interested and wants to learn more about becoming a hospice volunteer to contact Compassus Hospice in Tullahoma at 931-455-9118 or to visit Compassus’ website at https://www.compassus.com/volunteers/volunteers/. Hospice volunteer opportunities are endless, and all hospice volunteers receive free training. Whether volunteering a few hours a month or six hours a week, all efforts are appreciated and needed.

Julia Logan-Mayes is the Volunteer Coordinator for Compassus Hospice & Palliative Care, which has been serving Bedford, Cannon, Coffee, Franklin, Grundy and Moore Counties since 1996.