Make a Difference at the End of Life

Volunteers are the heart of hospice care. At Angel Hands Hospice, we believe in the power of presence. Our trained volunteers offer companionship and comfort to patients and their families during one of the most sacred transitions in life.

Please note: Volunteers never provide hands-on medical or personal care such as bathing, lifting, administering medications, or wound care. Their role is to enhance quality of life through companionship. Volunteers are asked to respect each patient’s cultural and spiritual beliefs without leading faith-based interactions.

Why Volunteer With Us?

Hospice volunteering is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in someone’s life. Whether you’re sitting quietly with a patient, reading their favorite book, or giving their caregiver a short break, your presence truly matters.

We follow strict guidelines to ensure volunteers do not replace paid staff but instead provide enrichment and companionship that complements clinical care.

Volunteer Roles

We offer a variety of meaningful ways to serve, tailored to your interests and talents:

Patient Companion Volunteer

• Sit bedside and offer quiet presence
• Read books or poetry aloud
• Play calming music or simply listen
• Paint a patient’s nails or style their hair gently (with permission)
• Accompany patients on walks in facilities
• Provide caregiver respite by staying with the patient

Legacy Project Volunteer

• Help patients create a Legacy eBook by assisting in answering questions, helping to find the right photos, and digitally creating the eBook
• Transcribe life reflections into a beautiful digital keepsake for families
• Assist with journaling, letter writing, or memory boxes
• Put together the Legacy E-Book

Administrative & Office Support

• Assist with data entry, mailings, and organizing supplies
• Assemble comfort kits or new volunteer welcome packets
• Create birthday, Valentines Day, and other special holiday or anniversary cards
• Create crafts that patients and families can use as keepsakes

Creative & Specialized Roles

• Share skills like music, art, or guided meditation
• Offer pet therapy (with appropriate certification)
• Support memorial events or bereavement card writing
• Contribute photography, graphic design, or writing to our volunteer newsletter

Is Hospice Volunteering Right for Me?

You don’t need medical experience or special training to serve—just a heart for presence.

You might thrive as a hospice volunteer if you:

• Are comfortable with quiet, reflective moments
• Want to support patients and families with dignity and empathy
• Can listen without needing to fix, change, or advise
• Respect all beliefs and traditions
• Feel called to honor life’s final chapter through service
• If this sounds like you, we’d be honored to walk this journey with you.

Volunteer Training & Requirements

We take our training seriously to ensure safety, compassion, and professionalism.

Our training program is different than you’ll see in other hospice and palliative programs because it was created by a death doula, making it doula-led and doula-informed. Our training program has all of the information that we are required to teach you, but it also has additional information that we hope will bring an extra level of compassion and empathy to our patients, while also giving you, the volunteer, the potential to learn new skills.

All volunteers must:

Complete a free orientation and training

Pass a background check

Undergo a tuberculosis screening (for patient-facing roles)

Be at least 16 years old with a drivers license

Commit to respectful interaction with patients including HIPAA

Training Includes:

Hospice philosophy and patient-centered care

Active listening, empathy, and grief awareness

Boundaries, cultural sensitivity, and ethics

HIPAA confidentiality and infection control

Volunteer role descriptions and expectations

And more