Volunteer Today

Volunteers are vital to HCI Care Services.  In fact, there are four times as many volunteers as there are HCI Care Services employees.  Each patient and family member served by HCI Care Services receives care from a team of staff and volunteers who provide expert medical care, pain management, emotional support and spiritual guidance.  Volunteers play an important role, enhancing quality of life for patients and their families.

HCI Care Services offers a comprehensive volunteer orientation for each volunteer job in the organization including education about:

• The hospice philosophy
• End-of-life care issues
• Confidentiality
• Proper documentation
• Physical, emotional and spiritual care of the dying
• Taking care of patients and families on the end-of-life journey

 Volunteers carry out a multitude of tasks every day, including:

• Caring for patients in their homes and in nursing care facilities
• Sitting with patients while family steps out
• Assisting with homemaking duties
• Running errands 
• Transporting patients to appointments
• Assisting with administrative tasks at HCI Care Services locations
• Bringing their own talents to the table
• Greeting visitors to the Kavanagh Houses
• Providing ongoing bereavement support to families and assisting with support groups
• Bringing baked goods to patients and families
• Helping care for the grounds at the Kavanagh Houses
• Creating sensory quilts (shown right) for patients with dementia 

Volunteer Program Opportunities

Veteran-to-Veteran Volunteer Program

Our Veteran-to-Veteran Program is a special service pairing veterans who are volunteers with patients who have served our country.  Veteran Partners provide companionship while talking, reading and sitting with patients.  Sometimes veterans feel most comfortable sharing their experiences with fellow veterans.  Veterans have a unique skill set which can help patients come to terms with past events and find peace.

HCI Giving Tree Thrift Store

HCI Care Services’ Urbandale thrift store, HCI Giving Tree, sells gently-used furniture, décor, collectibles and adult clothing.  All proceeds from thrift store sales go toward services provided to HCI Care Services’ patients and their families.  Unpaid volunteers do a variety of tasks such as: working the cash register, assisting customers, setting up displays, sorting donations and more!

 Pet Peace of Mind Program

The Pet Peace of Mind program is designed to assist hospice patients and families with the care of their beloved pets at a time when they are least able to provide for them.  The program supports the unique bond between hospice patients and their pets and alleviates any worry about their pets’ needs while in our hospice care. 

Services include companionship for pets, transporting pets to appointments, pet walking, pet boarding, food, vaccinations, non-emergent health care, and more.  Volunteers are the primary pet caregivers when this service is requested. 

11th Hour Program

The 11th hour volunteers offer a comforting presence by sitting with the patients and families during the last 48-72 hours of life, providing around-the-clock companionship.

Tuck-In Program

Volunteers make telephone calls to patients or the patients’ families to assure they have necessary supplies, medications and support.  Tuck-in services may vary as needed, but they can include phone calls to new patients or calls made on Thursdays or Fridays to “tuck patients in” for the weekend.

Speakers Bureau Program

Speakers Bureau volunteers open a dialogue on hospice care and advance care planning while educating the public on available resources and services.  Offered at no cost, presentations are adapted to fit any group’s needs and are available during daytime, evening or weekend hours. 

To be a member of the HCI Care Services Speakers Bureau, individuals must complete HCI Care Services’ volunteer orientation and receive Speakers Bureau training.  Speakers Bureau training educates volunteers about HCI Care Services and offers tips on how to deliver effective presentations.  Training provides information on a variety of hospice-related topics.

Pet Visitors

Pet visitors are also a special part of our patients’ lives, providing nearly 500 hours of companionship every year.  Friendly visits are made by pet visitors and their owners to wherever the patient calls home:  in long-term care facilities, in hospitals and at home.  Interested volunteers and their pets must be observed and approved by the team volunteer coordinator prior to visiting patients.

Are You Interested in Volunteering?

If you would like to learn more about becoming a volunteer, contact one of the HCI Care Services locations listed below, or check our calendar for volunteer training dates throughout our service area. 

Des Moines area - (515) 271-1304
Boone - (515) 432-4060
Bright Kavanagh House - (515) 333-4500
Centerville - (641) 856-5502
HCI Giving Tree Thrift Store - (515) 270-2414
Kavanagh House on 56th Street - (515) 255-0857
Knoxville - (641) 842-4312
Mount Ayr - (641) 464-2088
Mount Pleasant - (319) 385-4472
Osceola - (641) 342-2888
Perry - (515) 465-4705

Let’s Talk About Living and Dying

We all love to share the stories of our lives.  So why are we so afraid to discuss the final chapter?

HCI Care Services wants to change the way we talk about death.  If you are interested in hosting one of our speakers versed in end-of-life issues at your group event, please click here.