Volunteers Strengthen Hospice Care Through Compassion, Connection, and Community
AUSTIN, TX — March 25, 2026 — As National Volunteer Month approaches this April, the Texas New Mexico Hospice & Palliative Care Organization (TNMHPO) is calling on individuals across Texas and New Mexico to consider becoming hospice volunteers, helping to bring comfort, dignity, and meaningful human connection to patients and families facing serious and life-limiting illness.
Hospice volunteers have long been a cornerstone of care. Medicare-certified hospice programs are required to provide at least 5% of patient care hours through volunteer services, reflecting the deep roots of hospice in community-based support. Today, volunteers continue to play an essential role alongside interdisciplinary care teams, offering companionship, respite for caregivers, and support that extends far beyond clinical care.
“Volunteers are at the heart of hospice care,” said Brandie Baker, CAE, Chief Executive Officer of TNMHPO. “They show up in some of life’s most vulnerable moments with compassion, presence, and humanity. During National Volunteer Month, we encourage anyone looking to make a meaningful difference to consider hospice volunteering. It’s an experience that not only impacts patients and families but often transforms the lives of those who serve.”
A growing body of research shows that volunteering also benefits those who give their time by improving mental and physical health, reducing stress, and fostering a greater sense of purpose and connection. In hospice care, these benefits are especially profound, as volunteers build relationships that bring comfort and meaning at the end of life.
“I will tell you, I feel that volunteers are the true heart of hospice, as they donate their time, expecting nothing in return, to ensure that patients have the best experience at the end of life,” said Olivia Rogers, RN, BSN, CHPN, MBA, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer of Visiting Nurse Association of Texas and TNMHPO Board President. “They provide administrative support, patient socialization, memory and legacy making, and pretty much anything that is needed; they are selfless! I love our volunteers!”
Hospice volunteers serve in many ways, including:
No medical background is required, only a willingness to serve. Hospice organizations provide training and match volunteers with roles that fit their interests and availability.
From sitting bedside to helping fulfill final wishes, hospice volunteers help create moments of connection that leave a lasting impact on patients, families, and themselves.
To learn more about becoming a hospice volunteer, individuals are encouraged to contact a local hospice provider or visit www.txnmhospice.org.
About Texas New Mexico Hospice & Palliative Care Organization
Founded in 1983, the Texas New Mexico Hospice & Palliative Care Organization, grounded in hospice philosophy and standards, advocates excellence in services, promotes ethical practices, and fosters education and research. TNMHPO assists its membership network to provide care that enhances the quality of life for patients and their families experiencing a life-limiting illness.
The TNMHPO Education Subscription is for agencies who wish to provide on-demand education for the entire staff. This subscription is an add-on to a TNMHPO membership and can’t be purchased separately.
A TNMHPO Membership Plus Education Subscription gives members of the Texas New Mexico Hospice & Palliative Care Organization unlimited access to all archived online education for the entire year. You can provide training to your current staff and utilize these educational opportunities for new employee orientation. There are courses for every discipline on your hospice team and continuing education units and proof of attendance for Administrators, Nurses, Social Workers, and LPCs.
The optional education subscription may only be used by staff of the joining hospice agency, not to train partners, affiliates or sister organization staff. If your hospice is part of a home health, then the home health division will need to pay its own dues and education.
TNMHPO reserves the right to limit users if we feel the system is being misused.
The TNMHPO Education Subscription is 10% of your annual membership dues plus $650.
When purchasing your membership, select the “Education Subscription” option in the drop down on the membership product page.
Already a member? Contact our team directly to upgrade your membership.
For questions regarding our education subscription or its offerings, contact our Director of Operations, Keith Parker, at 512-956-0875 (voice and text) or email at [email protected].
