Our goal is to create an environment in which patients, families, staff and volunteers are treated with respect and dignity. When a volunteer is assigned a patient, we want the volunteer to become an integral member of that patient's interdisciplinary team. A team that includes a nurse, an aide, a physician, a social worker and a chaplain provides care for each patient.

Volunteers who join this team often bring help and services to which patients and their families may not have access. Even without a medical background, volunteers have gifts they can offer.

Here are some examples:

• Companionship and human presence
• Respite care for family and other caregivers
• Driving patients to favorite activities, for medical appointments or errands
• Massage, music or pet therapy, healing touch or other alternative therapies
• Bereavement support
• Clerical assistance at Namaste's office

Before visiting patients or families, Namaste volunteers are interviewed by Jane Craig, the Volunteer Coordinator, and must complete 20-hours of training. Of course, help with administrative tasks and community relations always are welcome. Training sessions are offered as needed, usually two to four times each year. Training is conducted at the Namaste offices, although sometimes elsewhere by special arrangement.

To indicate your interest in becoming a volunteer with Namaste, please do one of the following: click here to fill out an application; call Jane Craig, the Volunteer Coordinator, at (303) 860-9915; or email jcraig@namastehospice.com