Volunteer

Volunteers are the Heart of Our Services.

Volunteers are at the very heart of what we do. Amari Hospice Care volunteers bring comfort and peace to patients and families in many ways. They can provide companionships to patients in their homes, skilled nursing facilities, and assisted living communities. Volunteers help patients cope with life’s daily tasks and can also offer a break for tired caregivers.

Volunteers give their time and talents in unique and creative ways. Most importantly, they offer a great deal of love, compassion, and care.

If you have a special skill or service that might benefit our patients and their family members, please contact us. We are also actively searching for veterans to serve our patients who were part of the armed forces.

Our volunteers provide a variety of services including, but not limited to:

  • Visiting and sitting with the patient and their family

  • Providing companionship and emotional support

  • Other potential services: Musicians, barbers/cosmetologists, nail technicians, crafters, sewers/seamstresses

  • Providing relief for tired caregivers

  • Assisting in light housekeeping

  • Running errands

Want to to help but don’t have time? We’re always looking for donations for the following items:

  • Books (novels, fiction, non fiction etc.)

  • Yarn/knitting/crocheting supplies

  • Craft supplies (jewelry-making beads, string, small painting projects etc)

  • Games (easy to play board games, trivia, playing cards, chess, checkers, etc)

  • Gardening supplies (shovels big and small, rakes, gloves, watering cans)

  • Empty tin cans (like soup cans) empty glass jars (like jam jars)

Please drop off any donations to our office in Carmichael, located at 6720 Fair Oaks Blvd., Suite 100

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime.

Volunteer applications are temporarily paused due to the incredible response we've received. Thank you for your interest, and please check back soon for future volunteer opportunities!

  • Hospice volunteers provide companionship, emotional support, and a comforting presence to patients and their families. This may include sitting with a patient, listening to stories, reading aloud, offering gentle conversation, supporting family caregivers, or participating in supportive programs such as therapeutic arts or legacy projects. We also search for specialty volunteers who are musicians, cosmetologists/barbers, seamstresses, and many more.  Volunteers do not provide medical or personal care. 

  • No. Hospice volunteers are not expected to have medical training. We provide comprehensive training to prepare you for your role, and volunteers are never asked to perform clinical tasks. Compassion, reliability, and a willingness to listen are the most important qualifications. 

  • Possibly. Some volunteers work with patients in the final weeks or days of life, while others support patients earlier in their hospice journey or work with families and caregivers. We strive to match volunteers with roles and patients that align with their comfort level, strengths, and availability. Either way, volunteers receive a lot of support and ongoing training. 

  • This is a very common concern. Volunteers are not expected to have the β€œright” words. Often, the most meaningful support is simply being present and listening. Training will help you learn how to respond with empathy and how to sit comfortably with silence and emotion. 

  • Most volunteers commit to about four hours per month, typically one to two visits per week or every other week. Schedules are flexible and arranged in advance. We understand that life happens and ask only that volunteers communicate openly about availability. 

  • All volunteers complete hospice-specific training before being assigned. Training includes hospice philosophy, communication skills, boundaries, confidentiality, cultural sensitivity, grief and loss, and self-care. Ongoing education and support are also available. 

  • Yes. Hospice work can be emotionally meaningful and sometimes challenging. Volunteers are supported by the volunteer coordinator and interdisciplinary team and are encouraged to share concerns, ask questions, and seek support. Self-care is emphasized, and volunteers are never expected to handle situations alone. 

  • Forming caring connections is a natural part of hospice volunteering. Training helps volunteers understand healthy boundaries and how to navigate relationships thoughtfully and ethically. The hospice team is available to support volunteers through endings, grief, and transitions. 

  • We do our best to match volunteers with settings that fit their comfort level and preferences, such as private homes, assisted living facilities, skilled nursing facilities, or inpatient hospice units, depending on current needs and availability. We also do our best to match volunteers with patients and families in the volunteer’s area of choice. 

  • Volunteers do not provide medical care, give medications, offer clinical advice, handle finances, or take on family decision-making roles. Clear boundaries help protect patients, families, and volunteers and ensure that everyone is supported appropriately by the interdisciplinary hospice team. 

  • Hospice care honors each patient’s individual beliefs and values. Volunteers are not expected to share or promote any particular faith. Spiritual conversations are guided by the patient’s wishes and are supported by trained spiritual care providers when needed. 

  • Volunteers are supported through the death of a patient, including debriefing and grief support as needed. Many volunteers find the experience deeply meaningful, and the hospice team is there to help process emotions and honor the volunteer’s role in the patient’s journey. 

  • Volunteers often describe hospice work as profoundly meaningful. Many are drawn to the opportunity to make a difference, offer comfort, honor life, and support individuals and families during a vulnerable and sacred time.