Volunteer Involvement in a Hospice Care Program

Abstract

This paper reviews research findings concerning: volunteers' characteristics and motives for assisting in hospice programs; selection and training of volunteers; volunteers' hospice activities and their satisfaction with involvement in hospice; volunteers' support systems; and reasons for turnover among hospice volunteers. Within the context of this review, the results of an evaluation surveying 156 former and current hospice volunteers are reported. Implications and limitations of the findings are discussed.