Hospice Support

Awareness & Understanding

You've probably heard the word "hospice" but maybe not what it actually means. Hospice is end-of-life care that focuses on comfort instead of cure — helping people feel as good as possible in their final weeks or months. Start by watching "What Is Hospice Care?" on the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization's YouTube channel (search NHPCO on YouTube). Then visit nhpco.org and read their "About Hospice" pages. In Utah, Intermountain Healthcare and University of Utah Health both run hospice programs — look them up to see what services they offer. You're ready for the next step when you can explain the difference between hospice care and regular hospital care in your own words.

Research & Investigation

Now dig into what volunteers actually do in hospice settings. Search "hospice volunteering" on VolunteerMatch.org and filter for Salt Lake City — you'll see real openings. Read through two or three listings carefully to understand the tasks: sitting with patients, running errands for families, reading aloud, or just being present. Check out the subreddit r/hospice for real stories from volunteers and family members. The Intermountain Homecare and Hospice page also has a volunteer section worth reading. You're ready for the next step when you can name at least three specific tasks hospice volunteers do and one organization in the Salt Lake area that accepts them.

Planning & Preparation

Time to get ready to actually show up. Most hospice programs require a background check, health screening, and a volunteer orientation — usually a half-day session. Contact one organization (Intermountain Hospice or a local agency you found on VolunteerMatch) and ask about their onboarding process. While you wait, watch "Communicating with Dying Patients" on YouTube — search that phrase and pick a video from a nursing or palliative care channel. Write down five things you'd want to remember when sitting with someone at end of life. You're ready for the next step when you've completed orientation or confirmed your start date with a hospice program.

Taking Action

You're volunteering now — go do it. Show up for your first few scheduled visits or shifts. Your job isn't to fix anything; it's to be present and calm. After each visit, jot down one thing that surprised you and one thing that felt meaningful. If the hospice has a volunteer coordinator, check in with them after your second or third visit to ask for feedback. Look up the "Being With Dying" project at upaya.org for extra perspective on sitting with people at life's end. You're ready for the next step when you've completed at least four volunteer visits and reflected on what you've learned from each one.

Leadership & Expansion

You've got real experience now — use it. Recruit a friend or family member to volunteer alongside you, or help your hospice coordinator by promoting volunteer openings on social media. Look into training programs like the NHPCO's "Volunteers in Hospice" toolkit (free at nhpco.org). Ask your coordinator if there are additional roles: grief support for families, administrative help, or community education. Utah's End of Life Utah (endoflifeutah.org) runs public workshops — consider attending one and sharing what you learn. You're ready for the next step when you've introduced at least one new person to hospice volunteering or taken on an expanded role.

Impact & Reflection

Look back at everything you've done. How many visits did you complete? What changed in how you think about death and dying? Write a short reflection — even just a page — on what this experience meant to you and the people you served. Share it somewhere: a personal blog, a school project, or the SLCTrips community. Consider writing a thank-you note to your hospice coordinator describing one moment that stuck with you. If you want to keep going, explore the Death Cafe movement (deathcafe.com) — they hold open conversations about death, including events in Salt Lake. You're ready for the next step when you've written your reflection and shared it with at least one other person.