We’re grateful for our wonderful, selfless volunteers but we can always use more like them. If you’re thinking of volunteering, here are some ways you can help. Often, the only prerequisite is the desire to help.
Volunteer Opportunities
Discover what’s best for you.
If working with patients directly is right for you, view the Patient Volunteers tab. If you’re interested in helping Hosparus Health in other ways, view Other Volunteer Opportunities tab.
Respite Volunteer
Respite care volunteers give short breaks to the patient’s family members and loved ones, whether in the home, nursing center, or the Hosparus Inpatient Care Center. The volunteer might sit with the patient for just a couple of hours so the family member or loved one can take a nap, make a trip to the store, or go out for a movie.
Bereavement Volunteers
Bereavement volunteers provide comfort to family members and loved ones who are now clients at the Grief Counseling Center. These sessions could be individual or at counseling center events. Time commitment is based on each client, so it varies by assignment.
11th Hour Volunteers
11th Hour Volunteers provide comfort to patients who are actively dying, typically in a hospital, nursing center, or assisted living facility. These volunteers work on-call, so the hours vary greatly, including some weekends.
Companionship Volunteer
Visit with a patient to provide companionship, relieve loneliness, and share interests. During your visit you will often sit and talk and may play games, cards, or read. As a volunteer you may be visiting a patient who does not have friends or family, or visiting while family is present.
Inpatient Care Center (HICC) Volunteer
Inpatient Care Center volunteers help with a variety of tasks that may or may not be in direct contact with patients and their families. Some tasks may include administrative work, assisting the unit staff, or providing companionship to a patient.
Hosparus Health Thrift Shoppe
At our locations in Elizabethtown and Campbellsville, friendly volunteers help with sorting and pricing donations, placing and straightening items on the sales floor, and assisting customers.
Fundraising Events
Serve on a committee for one of our fundraising events, such as Dancing With Our Southern Indiana Stars or the Candle Glow Gala.
Community Ambassador
The goal of the Hosparus Health Ambassador Program is to raise awareness of Hosparus Health services and volunteer opportunities in our community, engage organizations in making us their local mission, and to communicate our vision to others. Sign up to become an ambassador by filling out the form below
Blankets and Quilts
Hand-crafted care blankets are often placed at the foot of the bed or in the patient’s lap for warmth and comfort. It’s a gift not just for the patient but for the family to keep.
Requirements:
- Care blankets are generally placed across the foot of the bed (over the patient’s lower legs and feet) or across the lap when sitting — the size should be approximately 3’ X 4’.
- Care Blankets should be clean, in new condition and from a non-smoking environment. No perfumes or other scents of any kind.
Please use caution if you have pets – materials and finished Care Blankets should be free from pet hair and smells. - Quilted, crocheted, or knitted blankets are welcome.
- We have an ongoing need for veteran’s recognition care blankets. These are handmade blankets that are presented to a veteran in our care, usually by a volunteer who is also an armed forces veteran. The dying veteran is presented with a special certificate of recognition for their service and a patriotic or military theme blanket.
No volunteer training is required. Call 800-264-0521 to schedule a time to drop off your handmade blankets. We do track of the number of care blankets and time spent making them. In addition, we will ask for your address, phone number and/or email address.
Music therapy
Music therapy volunteers often play music to soothe and comfort our patients. at Louisville’s Inpatient Center, fundraisers, or grief counseling events.
Massage Therapy
Massage therapists can visit our patients in their private homes, nursing facilities, or the Hosparus Health Inpatient Care Center. Volunteers must be licensed massage therapists with a current certification on file. Our patients are often elderly and frail, so it’s important that you are comfortable working with them and are sensitive to the needs of their grieving families.
Hair Care
Licensed hair professionals volunteer their services in private homes, nursing facilities, or the Hosparus Health Inpatient Care Center. If you’re skilled in various kinds of hair styles and comfortable around people with life-limiting illness reach out to our volunteer team.
Pet Therapy
If your pet is certified with an accredited animal assisted therapy service, our patients would love to meet them. They can visit patients in their homes, nursing centers, or the Hosparus Health Inpatient Care Center. Our therapy pets also love special events like birthday parties, fundraisers, or Kourageous Kids events.
Administration
Not all volunteer activity involves working with patients. If your skills tend toward the clerical, our administrative staff could use your help. Tasks include answering phone calls, doing data entry, compiling packets, and mailings. Hours vary.
Requirements
Hosparus Health volunteers aren’t required to have previous experience; however, they must:
Complete a mandatory training/orientation about our services and policies.
Submit information for a criminal background check, as required by state law.
Receive an annual TB test and flu shot (for volunteers in contact with patients and families.)
Receive additional immunizations if volunteering in the Hosparus Health Inpatient Care Center.
Volunteer Stories
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Giving Through Grief
- Grief Counseling
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The Hosparus Health Thrift Shoppe Family
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Hosparus Health Volunteer Celebrates 30 Years