Volunteer Programs

Volunteers continue to play an essential role in hospice care and make vital contributions to patients and families. We provide physical, emotional, and spiritual comfort while allowing patients and their families to retain as much autonomy and dignity as possible. Our volunteers work in almost every department, whether it is visiting patients or working in the administrative office. We offer volunteer opportunities not only in Los Angeles and Orange County, but also in the San Fernando Valley area.

More Than One Way to Volunteer

Support For Patients and Family

This can include visiting, reading, taking walks, writing letters, interperting for those who do not speak English, bringing in music, and supervising theraputic visits with pets. Volunteers with necessary certification can also provide massage therapy. Volunteers can assist with shopping or light household maintenance or allow family caregivers the opportunity to take care of necessary errands, exercise, or simply have some time alone .

Administrative Support

Hospice volunteers can work closely with the office staff. Duties may include helping with mailings to families, calling patients/families, and helping in the office with administrative duties.

FAQ

Who is eligible to volunteer?

Adults and young adults are welcomed to be part of our team! Because all our patients have unique needs toward their end-of-life, we seek volunteers from all backgrounds, experiences, and cultures. If you are under the age of 18, we will ask for you to be accompanied by a parent or guardian to any patient visits as a parent child or family volunteer team. If you are at least 18 years old, you can become part of our interdisciplinary team and assist us with various administrative projects and attend patient visits on your own.

What does it take to become a hospice volunteer?

Some qualities of a hospice volunteer include, but not limited to:

Dependable
Patient
Respectful
Excellent communicator
Good listener

Why do hospice have volunteers?

Volunteers can provide a different perspective when it comes to caring for the patient. Volunteers are part of our interdisciplinary team and can always discuss the needs of the patient and their family to our clinical team, so we can all better serve the patient.
History: The concept of hospice was started in England by Dr. Cicely Saunders in 1967 and was originally ran by volunteers who cared for dying patients. Hence, when hospice care became a Medicare benefit in 1982, President Ronald Regan implemented a written law stating that 5 percent of total patient care hours has to be provided by volunteers. This is one of the things that makes hospice care unique and different in the healthcare industry.

What is involved in volunteer training?

Every Reliance Hospice volunteer is required to complete a two-day training before being assigned a patient.
- Day 1 of Training
  - Introduction to the program
  - Hospice philosophy
  - Reliance’s mission and values
  - Discussion about which department and patient the volunteer best fits
- Day 2 of Training
  - HIPAA
  - Grief and loss
  - How to be prepared
  - What to expect
  - Safety precautions

Questions or Concerns

If there are any questions or concerns that have not already been answered, please reach out to us at (877) 659-5998 or volunteer@rhospice.com. One of our Volunteer Coordinators will contact you to answer any of your questions.