SSM Health at Home - Wisconsin depends on volunteers like you to deliver the services upon which our patients rely. Explore the volunteer opportunities below to learn more, and then complete your volunteer application today to get started.
Hospice Volunteering
SSM Health at Home’s hospice volunteers have a sincere desire to make a difference in the lives of others. Our hospice volunteers give the gift of themselves and their time by providing emotional support, companionship, and respite care to our patients and families. Volunteering times are flexible. Free, comprehensive training is provided, and no medical experience is necessary. All volunteers must maintain volunteer requirements and attend annual training. There are a variety of ways you can help:
Patient Support
Volunteers working directly with patients and their families provide companionship and support to patients, respite for families, and assist with errands, meal preparation or light housekeeping.
Administrative Support
Volunteers providing administrative duties support the Hospice Program by assisting with copying, collating materials and mailings, and fundraising efforts and special events.
Veteran to Veteran Volunteer Program
As part of our participation in the We Honor Veterans program, we have implemented a Veterans to Veterans Volunteer Program, an innovative model for serving Veterans at the end of life.
The goal of the Veteran to Veteran Volunteer Program is to pair veteran hospice volunteers with Veteran hospice patients. Once paired, these volunteers have the unique ability to relate and connect with the patient creating an environment where life review and healing may occur. Many veterans receiving hospice services through SSM Health at Home wish to be connected with a volunteer who is also a Veteran. This program makes that possible.
As a member of the program, you can provide support and comfort by offering a few hours of your time, companionship, and camaraderie.
Caring Presence
Some volunteers may also choose to become part of the Caring Presence Program, providing emotional comfort and support, to patients in their last hours of life. Through this special type of volunteering, you can provide a reassuring presence to patients who would otherwise be alone in the final hours of life.
The role of the Caring Presence Volunteer is that of a caring friend, providing emotional comfort and support. Non-skilled comfort measures the Volunteer can perform include such things as applying a cold cloth to the forehead, holding the patient’s hand, reading to the patient, or straightening of linens. Volunteers may stay with a patient in shifts up to three or four hours each, day or night, depending on availability.
If you are interested in or would like more information on the Caring Presence program, please call 877-356-4514 or email hahwi.volunteers@ssmhealth.com.
Meals on Wheels
Meals On Wheels volunteering is an easy way to give back to your community, and you can make a difference with just an hour of your time. Your commitment level is flexible – choose what works best for you and your schedule.
Delivery routes are available Monday – Friday in Madison, Middleton and Monona. Meal pick-up times are between 10:45 am and noon at a number of convenient locations. All volunteers go through a training session which covers the delivery routine, route sheet review and any questions you may have. Pickup points and your preferences regarding pickup site location and delivery days are also discussed.
In addition to volunteering as an individual, Meals On Wheels offers volunteer opportunities for families, groups and workplace teams:
Group Volunteer Opportunities
Bring family and/or service groups together to deliver meals during the summer, holidays, and school breaks. Group volunteering provides an opportunity for families or groups to spend time together while providing a much needed community service.
The Lunch Bunch
SSM Health at Home's Lunch Bunch provides home-schooled children the opportunity to participate in community service, while also earning community service learning hours.
Workplace Delivery Teams
A dedicated workplace delivery team builds employee morale, promotes team building, and allows busy professionals the opportunity to give back over the lunch hour without jeopardizing work-life balance.
For more information about delivering SSM Health at Home – Meals On Wheels, please call 608-276-7598 or email us at hahwi.mow@ssmhealth.com.