MICHIGAN – Hospice of Michigan is seeking veterans throughout Michigan to volunteer their time as bedside companions for fellow veterans who are receiving end-of-life care, according to a Hospice of Michigan press release on Thursday.

As a member of the NorthStar Care Community, Hospice of Michigan currently relies on hundreds of volunteers across the state to bring comfort, connection, and support to patients and families, according to the release. The not-for-profit is recruiting veterans statewide to provide bedside companionship and emotional support to other veterans who are receiving hospice care.

Hospice of Michigan stated that many veterans face the end of life with unique experiences and perspectives that are best understood by someone who has served alongside them.

“There is a special bond between veterans that no one else can replicate,” Lauren Becker-Barkman, Hospice of Michigan volunteer program manager, said in the release. “When a veteran volunteer sits with a hospice patient who has also served, something extraordinary can happen. Old stories get told, comfortable silences get held, and patients feel truly seen. That connection is a gift we cannot manufacture – only our local veterans can offer it.”

Hospice of Michigan’s We Honor Veterans program recognizes the unique needs of veterans at the end of life and is committed to ensuring they receive care that honors their service, the release stated.

Volunteer visits can take many forms based on the patient’s needs and preferences, Hospice of Michigan explained. Veterans may sit and talk with patients, share memories, watch a favorite program together, play a game of cards or simply offer a presence. Volunteers also provide meaningful relief for family caregivers, giving them time to rest, run errands or recharge, knowing their loved one is in good company.

No special experience is required to volunteer. For those who have experienced a loss, the organization encourages a waiting period of one year before becoming a hospice volunteer to allow for the processing of grief. 

To learn how you can become a hospice volunteer, visit hom.org.