FRIENDLY VISITOR/COMPANION VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers who visit with patients offer companionship, emotional support and aid in decreasing isolation. Furthermore, respite volunteers provide families/caregivers with a much-needed break for various reasons, like running errands, getting groceries and going to appointments. Friendly visitor/companion volunteers complete the training material found in this manual and are available to provide many of the services listed below after receiving instructions from the volunteer coordinator. Friendly visitor/companion volunteers are under the direct supervision of the volunteer coordinator. Following are some examples of patient assignments: • Offering companionship • Reading a newspaper or book • Being a caring presence • Taking a walk outside or around the facility • Playing music • Preparing a meal • Cleaning the dishes • Capturing a patient’s life history • Playing board games • Knitting or crocheting • Mowing the lawn • Looking at old photos • Reminiscing • Starting a load of laundry • Sitting with patient while caregiver leaves
