Hospice’s Call for Volunteers: A Prescription for Connection and Purpose

WASHINGTON – March 19, 2026 – As National Volunteer Month approaches in April, a leading healthcare partnership is issuing a renewed call for Americans to engage in one of the most profound acts of community service: hospice volunteering. The National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) is highlighting the urgent need for individuals to offer their time and presence to those facing serious illness, a role that not only provides essential comfort to patients but also offers remarkable, scientifically-backed benefits to the volunteers themselves.

This initiative comes at a critical juncture for hospice care in the United States. Providers are navigating a post-pandemic landscape that has reshaped volunteer engagement, all while facing the reinstatement of a foundational federal mandate that places community involvement at the very heart of end-of-life care.

A Mandate for Compassion: The Bedrock of Hospice Care

Since 1982, the philosophy of hospice has been legally intertwined with community spirit. Under the Medicare Conditions of Participation, certified hospices are required to ensure that volunteer time accounts for at least 5% of all patient care hours. This “5% rule” is unique in the American healthcare system, designed to keep hospice providers rooted in their communities and focused on the human element of care.

This longstanding requirement was temporarily waived during the COVID-19 public health emergency, a necessary measure that nonetheless disrupted volunteer programs nationwide. With the rule officially reinstated as of January 1, 2024, hospices are now under renewed pressure to recruit, train, and retain the volunteers who are central to their mission. The nearly 30,000 volunteers within NPHI's network of over 125 nonprofit providers nearly match the number of paid staff, underscoring their indispensable role.

“Volunteering in hospice is one of the most powerful expressions of compassion we see in our communities,” said Tom Koutsoumpas, Founder and CEO of NPHI. “These individuals choose to show up for people and families during deeply personal moments, offering presence, comfort, and humanity when it matters most. Again and again, we hear the same thing from volunteers: they come to give, but they leave with far more than they expected.”

The Reciprocal Gift: The Science Behind Giving Back

Koutsoumpas’s observation is strongly supported by a growing body of scientific research. Studies consistently find that acts of altruism, particularly consistent volunteering, confer significant health benefits. Researchers have linked volunteering to lower mortality rates, reduced stress, improved mental health, and stronger social connections. In an era marked by a search for meaning, giving time to others is shown to foster a greater sense of purpose, happiness, and overall life satisfaction.

This dynamic is especially potent in the context of hospice. Volunteers provide a unique form of support that complements the work of professional medical teams, offering a human connection that can’t be prescribed.

“Volunteering in hospice is a powerful example of how social connection works both ways,” explained Andrew MacPherson, Founder and Executive Chair of the Foundation for Social Connection ACTION NETWORK. “At a time when social isolation affects millions of Americans, the hospice volunteer model creates something remarkable. It brings people, often of different generations, together through shared humanity — strengthening volunteers' sense of belonging while offering comfort, companionship, and meaningful connection to individuals at a vulnerable moment in life.”

More Than a Visitor: The Diverse Roles of Volunteers

Contrary to common assumptions, a medical background is not a prerequisite for hospice volunteering. The only requirements are reliability, compassion, and a desire to support others. Hospice organizations provide comprehensive training and work to match volunteers with roles that suit their skills, interests, and availability.

These roles are as diverse as the volunteers themselves and extend far beyond bedside companionship. They include:

• Patient Support: Reading stories, playing music, listening to memories, or simply providing a quiet, reassuring presence.
• Caregiver Respite: Staying with a patient to allow family members to rest, run errands, or attend to their own needs.
• Practical Help: Assisting with light chores, walking pets, or picking up groceries.
• Creative Comforts: Engaging patients in art projects, recording life stories, or crafting memory quilts.
• Administrative Support: Helping with office tasks, outreach, or fundraising events that keep the organization running.

Sometimes, volunteers help make magic happen. They are often the key players in fulfilling final wishes, whether it’s arranging for a final visit from a beloved pet, organizing a last-minute backyard wedding, or even planning a hot air balloon ride. These moments of hope and joy create powerful, lasting memories for patients and their families.

A Stand for Quality in End-of-Life Care

The push for volunteers also highlights a critical distinction in the hospice landscape. NPHI represents nonprofit, community-based providers, a model that stands in contrast to the increasingly prevalent for-profit hospice industry. Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports have raised concerns about for-profit hospices, which have been found to have higher rates of discharging patients alive—a potential indicator of enrolling ineligible patients—and are more likely to have no staff visits during a patient's final days.

In this context, the volunteer-centric, community-integrated nonprofit model championed by NPHI is presented not just as a tradition, but as a bulwark for quality. The deep integration of volunteers ensures a focus on holistic, person-centered care that goes beyond clinical metrics.

“Hospice volunteers do not simply give their time. Many say the experience becomes one of the most meaningful parts of their lives,” added Carole Fisher, President of NPHI. “In a world that moves quickly, volunteering in hospice creates space to slow down, connect deeply with others, and be fully present for people who need care and compassion.”

For those inspired to answer the call, the first step is to connect with a local provider. NPHI encourages individuals to use its Care Provider Locator Map on its website or to call 844-GET-NPHI for assistance in finding an organization in their region, ensuring that this vital tradition of community support continues to thrive.