Final Hours Volunteer

Horizon has a variety of amazing volunteers who serve in the Final Hours role, making sure no one dies alone. We need individuals from all over the Milwaukee area to come forward and serve in this capacity. It is such an honor to be present for both the patient and the family in the final hours of life.

How this program works: Horizon Volunteer Coordinator, Emilee High, reaches out to our Final Hours Volunteers when there is a need for their services. Visitations average (4) hours of social and emotional care in the patient's home, at a facility, or on the Horizon Hospice Inpatient Unit. This is a very flexible service role; volunteers arrange their own 'on-call' schedule and receive plenty of notice when and if they are needed to serve.  

Essential Functions 

 Provide comfort cares to patient and a calming, peaceful presence in the home or at a facility during the last days/final hours of a patient’s life  

§         Emotional and social support: Actively listen; quietly sit alongside patient’s bed (simply your presence can bring great comfort); read scripture or books; listen to soft music; and engage in life review and conversation with patient, if appropriate. 

§         Direct patient care, includes but not limited to: Repositioning; mouth swabbing; applying lotion to patient’s hands; incontinence care; gentle touch; and hand-holding. 

 Assist family and hospice team  

§         Provide respite to family members/caretaker(s): With your presence, family members/caretaker(s) may feel comfortable leaving the vicinity for a short period of time to seek rest/relief, run an errand or eat a meal. 

§         Assist family members/caretaker(s) with appropriate next steps should patient pass during your visit.  

§         Appropriately communicate with family and patient as end of life approaches/occurs. 

§         Communicate any significant changes regarding patient’s condition with the Hospice Volunteer Coordinator.