Volunteer Opportunities
A vital part of the hospice care team, LifeTouch Health volunteers are caring, committed people from all walks of life who gain a sense of satisfaction from making a difference in the lives of others.
One of the biggest roles that our LifeTouch Health volunteers fulfill is to help provide practical, emotional and spiritual support to our patients and families. Many of our trained and certified volunteers visit patients who are receiving care in their homes, in assisted living facilities or nursing homes, while others spend time at our LifeTouch Health inpatient center.
Volunteers often help by making personal visits or phone calls, sitting with patients to give caregivers a chance to rest and – most of all – listening and sharing thoughts and feelings. Being a hospice volunteer brings the opportunity to touch another’s heart and experience the achievements of another’s lifetime in a special way. Of course, some people want to help LifeTouch Health, yet prefer volunteering in ways not directly related to patient care. Various opportunities exist, and help is always welcome – whether it is by serving on our boards of directors, working in our offices, helping with fundraisers or sewing Memory Bears, quilts or lap blankets. Regardless of what your preferences or talents might be, your help is always welcome and appreciated!
There are many ways volunteers can provide additional comfort, companionship, help and support to the patients and families we serve. See how you could become a LifeTouch Health volunteer, or how our team can help you or your family.
Administrative Volunteers: Many volunteers work in our offices providing much-appreciated support with bereavement services, fundraising mailings, special events, community outreach and educational activities.
Grief Support Volunteers: These volunteers, also known as bereavement volunteers, receive additional training from our bereavement staff. They help make phone calls to our hospice families following the death of a loved one, and also 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 LifeTouch Health patients. The bears are made from special fabric – be it a favorite shirt, blanket or just material with special meaning. 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 Ottenheimer Inpatient Center, located at CHI St. Vincent in Little Rock.
Pet Therapy Program: Volunteers with certified therapy dogs visit with patients in nursing homes and our inpatient facility. Pet therapy has been proven to lower blood pressure and provide comfort to patients.
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.
Teatime Volunteers: The Teatime Volunteers are teens from Mount St. Mary Academy in Little Rock who make weekly visits to the 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 ensure 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.