Motivations for service volunteer involvement at Casey House AIDS Hospice

Despite the fact that volunteers are an integral component of an AIDS hospice program, there are few studies describing the motivations they may have in choosing to become involved in an AIDS hospice such as Casey House Hospice in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This study made use of existing mechanisms to track Casey House service volunteers. Volunteers completed questionnaires at the time of application, and at three months and one year following their orientation. Volunteers were asked to describe why they wished to volunteer at the hospice, what their expectations were, and what motivated them to remain involved as a volunteer. This study revealed that Casey House volunteers are motivated by a general desire to contribute, as well as a desire for interaction and personal growth, and to experience the Casey House model of care. However, many volunteers do not enter the program with predetermined expectations, and their motivations for involvement may not be consciously recognized. Major factors relating to their continued involvement are the support and sense of value they receive from staff and residents, as well as the intensity of their experiences. Since this report is part of an ongoing, prospective study of AIDS hospice volunteers, there will be an opportunity to examine some of these issues in more detail at a later date.