Student Intern Program & Volunteer Opportunities:
 
 More than 20 high school students have volunteered to work with our more mature volunteers in serving patients. They are not doing it for school or other credit, but because they feel, as we do, that society imposes age barriers that are artificial.
 
Our young volunteers might enter into a grandparent-grandchild relationship with a patient, or simply serve as a bedside companion. No matter how each relationship evolves, it will have as its foundation a true caring and empathy.
 
More than 80 volunteers have been trained, and are eager to be a part of our patients’ lives. Their backgrounds are diverse, some coming from the health professions, others have experienced the loss of a loved one, and many simply want to provide comfort to a person in the final stage of life.
 
Many people with special skills to contribute, are eager to be a part of our patients’ lives. They are all volunteering their services, including:
 
• An artist who will work with our patients to create a lasting memento
• Licensed beauticians
• Massage therapists
• Licensed acupuncturists
• People skilled in various crafts
• Live musicians to perform
• A genealogist who is able to trace a patient’s family tree
• People who would be happy to read to our patients
• Therapy pets will visit patients at their request. Family pets may also visit, but only after consultation with one of the House directors
 
Description of Volunteer Responsibilities:
 
• Provide a compassionate ear to our patients, listening to their reminiscences, to their joys and sadness, and to their fears
• Interacting with the families of our patients, providing them with assurance that their loved one is receiving responsive care
• Preparing light meals, at the patients request
• Assist in administering hands-on care as needed
• Wash clothes when needed
• Sit with patient in the beautiful butterfly garden when circumstances permit