Trained hospice volunteers bring presence, companionship, and practical help that brighten the day and lighten the load for caregivers. Each volunteer is screened, oriented to privacy and safety, and matched to your preferences. Guided by our Acacia Heart, volunteers offer quiet support that blends seamlessly with your plan of care.
What Hospice Volunteers Can Do
- Friendly Visits. Conversation, reading, music, journaling, or simply sitting together.
- Caregiver Breaks. Short, scheduled visits that allow time for errands or rest.
- Practical Help. Light, non-clinical tasks that support comfort and routine, approved by the care team.
- Veteran-To-Veteran Matches. Shared service experience for meaningful connection when requested.
- Special Projects. Life review prompts, letter writing, or memory books coordinated with the family.
Who Are Acacia Hospice Volunteers
Our hospice volunteers are neighbors from every walk of life students as young as 16, working adults, and retirees well into their 70s and beyond. They live across Orange County and surrounding counties and choose assignments close to home or a little farther if they prefer. What they share is an Acacia Heart: a desire to show up with kindness, listen well, and make someone’s day a little easier.
What volunteers tell us:
Our Caring Staff Are Ready to Support You and Your Loved Ones
- Alexis N.
- Mikayla D.
- Lee M.
Call us today at (800) 993-9391 or click the button below to schedule a FREE In-home Consultation.
- “It was easier to start than I expected and incredibly rewarding.”
- “I wish I had known about this sooner.”
- “Every visit leaves me feeling grateful.”
If you’ve “always wanted to volunteer” but never found the time, consider starting now. Even a short, consistent visit can make a real difference and you’ll feel good every time you see your new friends.
Who Receives Volunteer Visits
Volunteer services are offered to patients and caregivers receiving hospice care at home or in a facility. Your nurse and social worker help decide timing and visit frequency based on comfort needs, safety, and your preferences.
Becoming A Volunteer: Qualifications & Expectations
What Volunteers Will Do
Provide non-medical support for patients and families at home or in facilities, offer bereavement check-ins, and/or help with clerical tasks always following the patient’s plan of care and guidance from the hospice team.
How To Qualify
- Complete a volunteer application plus required training and orientation.
- Set realistic goals for your availability and role.
- Work under supervision of the hospice interdisciplinary team (IDT/IDG).
- If you’ve had a close personal loss, plan to wait ~1 year before direct-care or public-facing roles.
- If offering a licensed skill (e.g., professional services), provide current state licensure/registration.
- Demonstrate respectful communication with patients, families, the community, and team members.
Essential Standards Volunteers Will Uphold
- Live the hospice Mission, Vision, Values in every interaction.
- Honor boundaries, privacy, and confidentiality; respect cultural and communication needs.
- Follow universal precautions and safety policies; complete required trainings/in-services.
- Keep commitments, document visits accurately and on time, and communicate updates to the team.
- Comply with all laws, policies, and procedures; perform other reasonable duties as assigned.
Core Behaviors We Look For
- Customer service & relationship building with diverse families
- Teamwork and timely information-sharing
- Professional quality and ongoing learning
- Initiative and follow-through make things happen
- Clear, honest communication
- Supportive collaboration and goal achievement
Physical & Practical Considerations
- Able to sit, stand, walk; occasional stooping/kneeling; lift/move up to ~10 lbs.
- Good hand use, hearing, and vision (close, distance, color, depth).
- Manage routine stress appropriately.
- Comfortable traveling by car to homes or facilities (office, inpatient, hospital settings).
- Typical exposure risk: Category II (standard precautions apply).
If this fits you, we’d love to talk about the best match for your interests and schedule.
FAQs: Hospice Volunteer Support
- Are volunteers background checked?
Yes. All volunteers are screened and trained before visiting patients or families. - Can volunteers provide hands-on care?
No. Volunteers do not perform clinical or personal care. They provide companionship and practical, non-clinical support. - How long are visits?
Typically 1–2 hours, scheduled in advance based on family preferences. - Can volunteers visit in facilities?
Yes, when permitted by the facility and aligned with the plan of care. - How do we request a volunteer?
Tell your nurse or social worker. We’ll work to make things happen quickly.
