NOW RECRUITING: HOSPICE COMPANION VOLUNTEERS
Trinity Health At Home – Hospice Companion
Are you looking for a meaningful way to make a difference in someone’s life while gaining documented service hours?
Join us in providing comfort, companionship, and support to patients receiving hospice or comfort care in local long-term care facilities or at home near the Storrs campus.
What is Hospice?
The purpose of hospice care is to make the patient feel as comfortable as possible in their last days of life. This includes physical, psychological, social, and spiritual comfort for the patient.
Why should you be a Hospice Volunteer?
On the path to becoming a healthcare provider, it’s inevitable that you will deal with the death of a patient. Becoming a Hospice Volunteer is a great way to learn strategies on how to cope with death and how to provide care to dying patients.
Volunteers Provide:
Conversation and companionship
Emotional support to patients and families
A compassionate presence during end-of-life care
No medical experience required — just kindness, empathy, and dependability.
Volunteer Requirements:
At least 18 years old
Have a car and a valid driver’s license
Willing to drive 30–45 minutes to visit patients (or less!)
Comfortable visiting patients in their homes
Able to commit 6–8 hours per month
Completion of various forms and fingerprinting
What does the application process entail?
Complete an application
Short Virtual Interview
Go for an Occupational Health Check (aka Physical Exam).
Complete an online Background Check
Go get Fingerprinted State Troopers Office (we will tell you which one)
Complete Online Hospice Volunteer Training
Complete an in-person Orientation
This process usually takes 4-6 weeks, and sometimes even longer. I highly recommend that students who would like to volunteer begin their application process now, so by the Spring, they can start visiting patients.
Interested in Helping but Can’t Make Patient Visits?
We are exploring the creation of the UConn Hospice Awareness & Volunteer Club (HAVC) — a Tier-II organization focused on hospice education, service, and community outreach.
The club does not exist yet, but if enough students express interest, we can start it! This would provide opportunities to:
Raise awareness about hospice services
Host events such as assembling care kits or crafting gifts for patients
Serve on the future Executive Board, gaining leadership experience—perfect for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors
Why Get Involved?
Gain meaningful volunteer experience
Develop leadership skills
Learn about hospice, palliative care, and patient support
Join a compassionate community of students
Make a real impact on someone’s final days
Interested?
If you have any questions, either about volunteering or helping with starting the club, you may contact Daniela Echevarria, a current UCONN student who is a Hospice companion with Trinity Health at Home; daniela.echevarria@uconn.edu
If you are interested in volunteering, and believe you meet the criteria listed above, you may contact iqra.malik@trinity-health.org to schedule a meeting and get started with onboarding.
For more information, contact: Daniela Echevarria at daniela.echevarria@uconn.edu