Volunteering
Our hospice volunteers bring warmth, presence, and practical help to patients and families across Southern California. If you’ve “always wanted to volunteer” but couldn’t find the time, this is your moment. Even a short, consistent visit can lift spirits, ease caregiver stress, and create real connection.
Who Are Acacia Hospice Volunteers
Acacia volunteers are neighbors from every walk of life, students as young as 16, working professionals, and retirees well into their 70s+. They live throughout Orange County and surrounding counties and choose assignments close to home or a bit farther if they prefer. Many tell us it was easier to start than expected, and deeply fulfilling. Every visit is a chance to be a good friend.
What Volunteers Do
- Companionship & Conversation. Friendly visits, reading aloud, music, board games, quiet presence.
- Caregiver Breath-ers. Sit with a patient so a family member can nap, take a walk, or run an errand (within plan-of-care boundaries).
- Legacy & Life Review. Help capture stories through letter writing, simple recordings, or photo organization.
- Practical Help. Tidy a bedside table, set up a playlist, or organize reading materials light, non-clinical tasks approved by the care team.
- Check-Ins By Phone Or Video. When in-person isn’t ideal, volunteers connect virtually to reduce isolation.
Volunteers do not provide hands-on clinical care, lift patients, or manage medications.
How Volunteering Works
- Connect With Us. Tell us your interests, schedule, languages, and the communities you can visit.
- Apply & Train. Complete a short application and orientation so you feel prepared and confident.
- Match & Start. We match you thoughtfully with a patient or family and coordinate with the nurse and social worker.
- Visit & Share Updates. After each visit, you share simple notes so the team can respond quickly to any needs.
- Application & Orientation. Complete the volunteer application and required training.
- Realistic Availability. Choose visit lengths and frequency you can maintain.
- Team Approach. Accept supervision from the hospice interdisciplinary team (IDT/IDG).
- Licensure (If Applicable). If offering a licensed skill as a volunteer, provide current state credentials.
- Healthy Boundaries. Protect privacy, keep information confidential, and respect cultural and communication needs.
- Grief Consideration. If you’ve had a recent personal loss, we may recommend waiting ~1 year before direct-care volunteering.
- Documentation & Reliability. Honor time commitments and submit brief visit notes.
Light walking and sitting; occasional bending; lifting under ~10 lbs; ability to manage routine stress; reliable transportation to homes or facilities.
Safety, Training & Support
- Screened & Prepared. Volunteers complete orientation covering communication skills, cultural humility, infection-prevention basics, and what to do in urgent situations.
- Clear Boundaries. Privacy and safety come first. If a volunteer is unsure about something, the rule is simple: call the team.
- Aligned With The Care Plan. Activities are approved by the nurse and social worker so every visit supports comfort and dignity.
- Ongoing Guidance. We provide check-ins, refreshers, and easy access to your coordinator.
Scheduling & Availability
- Your Pace, Your Neighborhood. Choose communities close to home or travel a bit if you like.
- Flexible Formats. In-person, phone, or video visits whatever keeps connection strong.
- Adjust Anytime. If your availability changes, tell us. We’ll make things happen to pause, reschedule, or rematch as needed.
Where You Can Serve
We support families across Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Los Angeles County, and Ventura County, including Irvine and the Coachella Valley. If you live just beyond these areas, ask us accommodations are often possible.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need medical experience?
No. You’ll receive orientation and ongoing guidance. Compassion, reliability, and good listening are what matter.
How long are visits?
Typically 1–2 hours, scheduled in advance. Frequency depends on your availability and the family’s preferences.
Can I volunteer in assisted living or skilled nursing communities?
Yes when facility policies allow and the visit aligns with the hospice plan.
Can I be matched based on language or interests?
We do our best to match shared language, hobbies, or background when possible.
What if a match isn’t the right fit?
Tell us. We’ll adjust promptly your comfort and the family’s comfort lead the way.
Can I help a caregiver take a break?
Yes, within plan-of-care boundaries. Volunteers provide friendly presence so a caregiver can step away briefly.
Is there virtual volunteering?
Yes. Phone or video check-ins are available when in-person visits aren’t preferred.
Ready To Begin? Here’s How To Sign Up
Email admin@acaciahealth.net with the subject “Volunteer Inquiry”.
Include your name, phone number, city/ZIP, preferred counties, languages, and availability.
We’ll reply with the application, orientation dates, and next steps.
Prefer to talk first? Call (800) 993-9391. We’ll answer your questions and help you get started.
A Good Day, Made Better
Volunteering with Acacia is simple, human, and deeply rewarding. Bring your time, your kindness, and your listening heart we’ll provide the training, the support, and a thoughtful match. Most volunteers say they wish they had found this sooner.
See What Our Patients and Families Are Saying About Us!
Sheila Huettl
21:58 31 Jul 24
My family had such a wonderful experience with Acacia Home Health for the last few years as my mother who is 93 has been on palliative care for advanced pulmonary hypertension and COPD. Acacia has sent us a variety of fantastic nurses, physical therapists, social workers and specialists for respiratory and wound care. Acacia arranged for us to have x-rays, blood draws and outstanding urgent care at our home. We have been able to call them at any hour for advice. Their case managers and management are absolutely wonderful. We have experienced that they are very caring and they always treat my mother and me (the caregiver) as very important. They have helped us to get all of the equipment that mom needs. They answer all of our questions (sometimes doing research to find answers for us) on a variety of topics. We will be forever grateful to Acacia and their wonderful employees!
Faith N
03:38 01 Apr 23
My mom was a patient on service. She passed in January 2023. The Hospice and Palliative teams went above and beyond. They were an excellent resource to our family. I reside on the East and had to communicate via phone and text while I went back and forth. Toward the end I had comfort in knowing she had a great team at her side. Thank you.
Senior Placecare
20:24 06 Jan 22
Acacia Hospice has been a great partner for our company over the years helping families and providing care and assistance at a moments notice. The staff is always available, warm, knowledgable and friendly. They perform calm and detail oriented in high pressure and often emotional settings. if your loved family member needs this service Acacia is the way to go.
Greg Filian
19:25 29 Dec 21
Manuela is a kind hearted person that knows how to work with women that have dimensia. She persists through the scratching, and other unpleasant rantings that can accompany these types of patients. She is truly a blessing!To not mention how good the others who have come to my house and help me with my wife is a mistake. Sheryl the nurse practitioner and Mark the physical therapist were also excellent!
Fern Tyrell
23:00 20 Dec 21
Acacia's people have made taking care of my aging parent so much easier and less stressful. They are well-trained and professional, and I am very thankful for their support.
Steve Kim
03:33 10 Dec 21
Acacia Hospice has been a life saver for my mom. Having mom with late stage severe dementia has been most difficult on all of our family members but especially hard on my 86 years old father. Thank You Acacia Hospice !!! Words can describe the how grateful we are with the nurses and caregivers that we have from Acacia Hospice Care. You guys are the reason why we are able have my mom at home. Thank You 🙏. God bless you guys.
Miranda McCroskey
20:12 08 Dec 21
It goes without saying that if you need Acacia Hospice you are experiencing a challenging phase of life. However, Acacia has done all they can to make the experience easier on my family. We have appreciated and found comfort in all of the nurses, have been educated and supported by them as well. If we need medical equipment we get it promptly with no issues. We did not know anything about hospice care before recently, and we are so glad to know Acacia is there for people in these tough spots.
Sherri Frost
02:27 18 Dec 20
Acacia provided nursing care for my mom in 2019 when she was ill, and we were so pleased with the care she received that we reached out to Acacia in 2020 when my mom now needed Hospice services, and we are so grateful for all that Acacia did for my mom prior to her passing.All of the staff members at Acacia were wonderful and caring, and we were especially fond of Rosemary, who provided such loving nursing care for my mom.The staff members at Acacia were readily available and extremely responsive to all of our requests for supplies, medication and more.We would highly recommend both Acacia's Home Healthcare Services as well as their Hospice Services.Thank you again for taking such loving care of my mother.
Cynthia McCue
06:52 17 Sep 20
I knew I was in excellent hands when I met & discussed my 81-yr-old "sweetheart's" care, Victor, with Peter. After 3 other experiences in prior hospices compared to working with Acacia, I was so assured by Peter's solid knowledge of the industry, various options of care provided at Acacia & his knowledge about other facilities. He answered each need we had with the highest professionalism and integrity. Peter & the entire Acacia team facilitated what would be a difficult transition for Victor.Acacia outshines them all in responsiveness to patients' needs, always treating the patient with dignity and humanity while securing resources to suit patient. I experienced their quality level of care while being Victor's caregiver. Acacia works in the interest of the patient & deferred admitting Victor to Acacia at a time when he was so ill that former hospice MD predicted certain death.Victor lived & I immediately admitted him to Acacia which was a very smooth transition, compared to others previously. I am so grateful for the social worker's, at Alzheimer's Family Center, referral to Acacia, who recommended Acacia as being the best hospice facility in O.C. I couldn't agree more! Any caregiver/family member won't regret their choice of Acacia!
Darcy Ricci
21:27 13 Aug 20
Acacia Hospice has been a life saver for us! We were unfamiliar with everything hospice offers but Peter quickly educated us. After our first phone call he responded immediately and had a medical bed delivered to us within hours of first speaking to him. Additionally, he arranged for our loved one to be brought home from the hospital in an ambulance the next day and had a nurse waiting when she arrived home. I’ve never seen such quick response time! The nurse, Jennifer, has been incredible getting all the meds coordinated and educating the caregivers on how to manage everything. I would highly recommend Acacia after our wonderful experience with them! Having such friendly and helpful people has been a true blessing during this difficult time.
P. Salios
22:11 04 Aug 20
My 94 year old mother reached a point in her life when she needed hospice care. Carmel Village in Fountain Valley recommended Acacia Hospice.Right away I knew we had made the right choice.Peter Martinez was our representative and he made all the arrangements for care and equipment. He communicated each step being taken and always followed up. He and his team were always available to answer questions and offer support. Acacia Hospice is the finest choice for hospice care and I highly recommend them.
