ALPENA — By definition, hospice is health care that centers on alleviating a patient’s pain and symptoms and providing emotional and spiritual needs at the end of life.

Hospice of Michigan has provided such care and comfort to patients in Alpena and outlying communities for more than 40 years. Currently, in this community, there are more than 120 patients in the care of Hospice of Michigan.

Because Hospice of Michigan receives Medicare funding, Medicare requires that volunteers complete 5% of a patient’s bedside hours.

To fulfill that need, Hospice of Michigan is seeking more volunteers.

Hospice of Michigan currently needs volunteers in Roger City, Hillman, and Atlanta.

According to Kathy Lietaert, volunteer program director for Hospice of Michigan, “We maintain a pretty strong volunteer program that consists of what we call patient care volunteers, which just means they are providing companionship to patients and families at their bedsides.”

Bedside volunteers each have different experiences. Some may watch a movie or read a book with a patient, care for a patient’s pet, or simply listen to a patient’s life stories.

“It’s visiting folks in their own community, providing companionship, whatever that means to the patient,” Lietaert said.

Hospice of Michigan has volunteer veterans visiting veterans, music volunteers who play instruments and sing for patients in assisted living facilities, and pet care volunteers.

Each volunteer is trained to ensure the patient receives the companionship or caregiver relief needed.

“Our volunteer service staff helps volunteers along the way,” Lietaert said. “We don’t just train you and throw you out there. You are part of a team, a volunteer team.”

While two to four hours a week is optimal, how many hours a person volunteers is flexible according to their schedule. Volunteers are also localized to their specific community. Traveling outside of their area is not required.

Hospice of Michigan is not limited to only bedside volunteers. Administrative and event volunteers are also welcome. Those non-patient care positions include marketing, mailing, sewing, hairstyling, and more.

The qualifications to become a Hospice of Michigan volunteer include “having a compassionate heart and the desire to spend time with folks at the end of their life,” Lieteart said. “It sounds scary, but it’s not. It can be very rewarding to be a hospice volunteer.”

Those interested in becoming a volunteer can visit HOM.org or call Kristie Loukes at 989-590-4222.