Hospice
WellSpan Hospice Services is a comprehensive program that assists patients and their families with physical, emotional, and spiritual needs that may accompany a life-limiting illness. With more than 75 years of combined experience, Hospice of Evangelical nurses are solely dedicated to the specialty of end-of-life care. Our nurses are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to answer questions, discuss concerns, visit, and provide support.
WellSpan Hospice Services support extends beyond the death of the patient. Hospice families continue to receive care and bereavement support for at least 13 months.
When is the right time to start thinking about hospice care?
Palliative Medicine vs. Hospice
As care evolves for those experiencing chronic conditions, many patients ask, what’s the difference between palliative medicine and hospice care?
Hospice care can be provided in the patient’s/family’s home, assisted living centers, and nursing homes.
Nursing Home Partnerships
- Oak Glen
- Milton Nursing and Rehabilitation
- Watsontown Healthcare and Rehab Center
- Nottingham Village
- Rolling Hills Health and Rehabilitation
- Buffalo Valley Lutheran Village
- Sunbury Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation
Specially trained volunteers can provide support to our patients and families both at home and in the nursing home, including visitation, pet and music support, and bereavement care.
WellSpan Hospice Services are provided by a team who work together to evaluate and coordinate the patient’s care:
- Patient and their family or caregivers
- Hospice Coordinator
- Hospice Medical Director
- Patient’s Physician
- Nurses
- Social Worker
- Hospice Chaplain
- Hospice Aides
- Dietitian
- Pharmacist
- Therapists
- Volunteers
- Volunteer Liaison
Hospice care is about living each day to the fullest. As a volunteer with WellSpan Hospice Services, you will be an integral part of our hospice team. Our volunteers are privileged to share in a unique and intimate way with patients and their families during their end-of-life care.
In Home Volunteers
- Respite for caregiver(s) *Maximum time in a patient’s home is 4 hours per visit*
- Visiting, active listening, and companionship
- Shopping and running errands
- Assist with meal preparation or take meals to patients
- Light housekeeping/laundry/yard work
- Assist with activities: photo albums, scrapbooking, letter writing
Skilled Nursing Facility Volunteers
- Provide companionship
- Take patients for a ride in a wheelchair or go for a walk
- Share music or other talents
- Read to or with the patients
- Vigil Volunteer: sitting and advocating for an actively dying patient in a Skilled Nursing Facility
Music Support/Pet Therapy
- Pet Therapy animals must be registered with an established pet therapy organization as listed by the American Kennel Club.
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Looking for a volunteer opportunity without direct patient contact?
WellSpan Hospice Services volunteers have a variety of ways to provide support without having direct patient contact.
Bereavement Support
- Making phone calls/mailings to check in on families (follow-up contact for 13 months)
- Sending cards and office mailings
Office Support
- Tuck-In calls
- Mailings/Sending Cards
- Admission packets/filing/making copies
Health Fairs
Represent WellSpan Hospice Services at local events to aid in recruitment of hospice volunteers and educate our community about hospice services.
If you are interested in becoming part of our volunteer team or would like additional information, please contact the WellSpan Hospice Services Volunteer Liaison at 570-522-2550.
WellSpan Hospice ServicesVolunteer Liaison
One Hospital Drive
Lewisburg, PA 17837
Support Hospice of Evangelical
If you would like to support our hospice program, give a gift in memory of a loved one, or honor a special caregiver, please click here to learn about charitable gift options.
- Call us: 570-522-2550
- Info Request Form