Volunteer Opportunities

Dealing with the effects of aging or a life-limiting illness can be overwhelming for the patient and family caregivers. Complicated decisions must be made, often very quickly. It’s hard to know how to find the way through the ever-changing healthcare system, how to continue living as independently as possible and how to secure the care a patient needs to be comfortable. The Arkansas Hospice Family of Care can help you with these concerns and many more.

Administrative Volunteers: Many volunteers work in our offices providing greatly appreciated support of bereavement services, fundraising mailings, special events, community outreach and educational activities.

Grief Support Volunteers: Grief support, otherwise known as bereavement volunteers, assist bereavement staff in making phone calls to Arkansas Hospice families following the death of a loved one. These volunteers receive additional training from the bereavement staff and help to remind families of services available to them for up to 13 months.

Memory Bears: Volunteers with basic sewing skills can help make Memory Bears for families of Arkansas Hospice patients. The bears are made from special fabric – be it a favorite shirt, blanket or just material with special meaning. The Memory Bears are a unique symbol of remembrance for families and friends.

Patient and Family Care: Companionship is a key component, as well as helping with errands and sitting with patients while caregivers rest. Opportunities are available in patients’ homes, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and the Arkansas Hospice Ottenheimer Inpatient Center, located at CHI St. Vincent in Little Rock.

Pet Therapy Program: The Pet Therapy Program offers the opportunity for volunteers with certified therapy dogs to visit with patients in nursing homes and our inpatient facility. Pet therapy has been proven to lower blood pressure and provide comfort to patients. (Please click here to see more details.)

Prayer Shawl Ministry & Quilting: Volunteers donate their time and talents by creating hand-knitted, crocheted and quilted shawls, lap blankets, hats and socks for those in need. Their message of caring is simple, universal and enduring.

Project SMILE: Students Going the Extra Mile: This program is for students 14 and older who want to make a difference by volunteering their time and talents to Arkansas Hospice. They visit patients at home, nursing homes or work in our offices. They are also involved in special projects.

Teatime Volunteers: The Teatime Volunteers are teens from Mount St. Mary Academy in Little Rock who make weekly visits to the Arkansas Hospice Ottenheimer Inpatient Center to visit patients, families and staff. While the volunteers gain valuable perspective and on-the-job experience, many patients embrace the visits as an opportunity to touch young lives.

Tuck-In Program: The Tuck-In Program is designed to maximize the role of the volunteer in assisting other team members to operate more effectively and efficiently. Volunteers call patients at home on Thursdays to assure they have necessary supplies, medications, equipment and/or support. The appropriate team member can then act on meeting the specific needs of patients and families before the weekend.

Vet-to-Vet Program: This program pairs our veteran patients with volunteers who have also served in the military and oftentimes have a better understanding of what the patients have experienced. These veteran volunteers provide invaluable companionship and can give caretakers a chance to take a brief break.

Volunteer Vigil: These volunteers are specially trained to be present with the patient and/or family members who may need support at the time of death. A vigil may be offered during the last 24-48 hours of a patient’s life.

To start a conversation with us regarding volunteering, our Foundation or any other questions you have, please click here, or call us statewide at (877) 713-2348.

Find the Arkansas Hospice location nearest you.