Volunteering is big part of the holiday season for some, with people wanting to help others even in difficult times.
Being a hospice volunteer isn't for everyone. It can certainly be scary to sit with someone who is dying.
"It's not just a job, it's not just a volunteer gig, and I can always, always welcome new volunteers," says Allina Health hospice program administrator Erika Schuld.
However, Schuld says it can be very rewarding.
"You're in these really intimate, vulnerable settings, and you just form bonds really quickly, and it really is our honor in hospice to walk along with patients and families," explains Schuld.
Doctor Glen Varns is the medical director of the program and he says volunteers do not administer medication. Instead they do other things to support families.
"Instead, they do things like reading to folks, they are writing cards that are sent to people who are who are receiving hospice care," Varns says.
He adds that there's some training provided, and a background check is needed before you can get started spending time with the patients.
"So if, if you feel like,' oh gosh, you know, I'm not into doing medical type things,' most often that's not what volunteers actually do," explains Dr. Varns.
Schuld says volunteers train to help patients find meaning in the life.
"And really help them experience the type of death that they wish and to help them do so with dignity," she explained. "So it really is our honor, and I think it's why, you know, care teams have these really close bonds, even if someone's only on hospice for three, five, seven days. We of course wish it's longer, but sometimes it's not."
Schuld says if you're interested you can find out more on the Allina Health website.