ARLINGTON – Volunteers are being sought to help hospice and palliative care patients in their Arlington-area homes.

An hour-long open house for potential volunteers will take place at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 27 at Cascade Valley Hospital.

The event occurs in Rainier Room B at the hospital, located at 330 S. Stillaguamish Ave., Arlington.

The open house will be hosted by Evergreen Home Care, based at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center in Kirkland. The organization provides end-of-life programs that allow patients to stay in their homes, said Criss East of Evergreen Hospital Medical Center.

“Volunteers fill a much-needed service niche by visiting patients and helping them cope with day-to-day care,” East said.

Volunteer duties may include greeting individuals in a friendly manner, reading to a patient, playing cards or games, light household work, running errands or staying with the patient for a couple of hours so the primary care giver can take a break.

Volunteer training will also take place in Arlington.

For more information, call East at 425-899-1049 or e-mail her at cmeast@evergreenhealthcare.org.