Compassus Hospice Care serves patients in six different counties in Alabama, including Chambers County.

Helping patients that are elderly and those who just need a hand with day-to-day errands and activities, Compassus utilizes the help of volunteers to ensure everyone’s needs are met.

Since opening as part of East Alabama Medical Center in the 1980s, Compassus has seen a consistent growth in its need for volunteers in each of the counties it covers, including Chambers, Russell, Macon Tallapoosa, Randolph and Lee.

Compassus is in need of additional volunteers now and they have sent out a request to members of each community they serve to help out.

“Volunteers are an invaluable part of our team as far as assisting with our patients and patients’ families,” said Chris Starr, director of clinical services at the inpatient facility, Bethany House. “Anybody can be a volunteer whether they are specialized service or if they are just a compassionate person.”

Starr said that volunteers must be 18 years old, be willing to go through a background check and attend a short volunteer training.

Formal hospice education or training is not required, and volunteers can choose to serve those only in their community.

Once they sign on, volunteers help fill a number of roles in the organization, from helping with paperwork at Compassus facilities to interacting with patients directly.

“Volunteers offer companionship in the home, conversations with patients, have regular visits, read with them, play games, watch television and/or even just listen to their life story,” Starr said.

The next volunteer training session will take place on Monday, Feb. 4 at 5:30 p.m.

For those interested in more information, they can contact Volunteer Coordinator Latasha Durr at latasha.durr@compassus.com.