Volunteering with older adults

What volunteers usually do

• Visit, talk, listen and share stories
• Write letters and cards, or become a pen pal
• Lead or help with music, games, crafts, gardening, reading, faith activities or special projects
• Help at events and celebrations
• Bring a class, family, club or faith group for an intergenerational visit

Good to know

• Every community is different. The activity director, recreation therapist or volunteer coordinator is your guide — follow their lead.
• Many residents have memory loss, hearing or vision changes, or limited mobility. Small kindnesses matter more than perfect activities.
• Being consistent matters. If you commit to a schedule, keep it — residents look forward to you.

• Contact the community first — never just show up. Ask for the activity director, recreation therapist or volunteer coordinator.
• Expect the community's own steps. A facility may ask for an application, photo ID, references, a background check, a health screening (such as a TB test or certain vaccines), and an orientation or training on resident rights, abuse prevention and dementia that fits your role. Rules depend on the country: in the United States, federal rules require nursing homes to screen people who act on their behalf and to train volunteers in line with what they'll be doing; in the UK a DBS check is common, and in Canada a police vulnerable sector check. The community will tell you what applies.
• Groups that visit now and then (a church choir, a class, a company team) are often treated as visitors and may need fewer steps — ask what applies to you.
• Ask: Where do I check in? Who is my contact? What should I do in an emergency? May I take photos? Which residents and areas am I visiting?
• Sign in and out every time and wear any badge you're given. Your hours may count for school, work or faith service — ask how they're recorded.
• Bring only approved materials. Leave valuables at home.

• Stay home if you're sick — fever, cough, sore throat, a new cold, vomiting, diarrhea or an unexplained rash. Call and reschedule; they will thank you.
• Clean your hands when you arrive, before and after touching a resident or shared items, after using the restroom, and when you leave.
• Follow posted signs about masks or special precautions. Don't enter a room with a precaution sign unless staff tells you how.
• Ask staff how to clean shared items such as games, instruments and tablets.
• Cover coughs and sneezes, and keep fingernails short and clean if you'll be doing hands-on activities.

Communication that works

• Introduce yourself every time — "Hi, I'm Maria, the volunteer who plays piano." It's okay if they don't remember you.
• Sit at eye level, face the person, smile and speak clearly and a little slower. Louder isn't always better; lower pitch is often easier to hear.
• Reduce background noise. Ask one question at a time and give plenty of time to answer.
• Speak to adults as adults — no baby talk. Use the name they prefer (Mr. or Mrs. until invited to use a first name).
• Make sure glasses and hearing aids are in place if the person uses them (ask staff for help). Use large print and good lighting.

Dignity and choice

• Knock and ask before entering a room. A resident's room is their home.
• Offer choices and respect "no" — residents have the right to decline any activity, visit or conversation.
• Encourage people to do what they can for themselves rather than doing it for them.
• Value each person's life story, culture, faith, language and preferences.

Memory loss and dementia

• Join their world rather than correcting it. If someone is waiting for a parent who died long ago, ask about that parent instead of arguing.
• Don't quiz memory ("Do you remember me?" "What day is it?"). It can feel like a test they're failing.
• Use short, simple sentences, gestures and objects. Notice the feeling behind the words.
• If someone becomes upset, stay calm, lower your voice, give space, change the subject gently — and get staff if it continues.
• Never take a resident out of a secured unit or open a coded door for them. If someone asks you to take them home or outside, kindly redirect and tell staff.

• Don't lift, transfer or reposition a resident, help someone stand or walk, or push a wheelchair with someone in it unless staff has trained you and asked you to.
• Don't give any food, drink, candy or gum, and don't help someone eat or drink. Many residents have special diets, allergies or swallowing problems; only trained staff or trained feeding assistants may help with eating.
• Never give, handle or remind about medications or creams, and never help with personal care such as toileting, bathing or dressing.
• Keep residents' information private — names, health conditions and stories stay at the community. No photos, video or social media posts without the facility's and the resident's permission.
• Don't give or accept money or valuable gifts, sign any papers, or buy things for residents without staff's knowledge.
• Don't share your personal phone number, home address or social media. Keep contact through the community or Pen Pal Tree.
• Share faith or political views only when a resident invites it or during a scheduled service. Respect every belief and never pressure anyone.
• Children and teens always stay with their own responsible adult.

Get staff immediately

• A fall, or someone on the floor (don't try to lift them)
• Choking, trouble breathing, chest pain, a sudden severe headache
• Sudden confusion, slurred speech, face drooping or weakness on one side
• Bleeding, an injury, or someone who seems very unwell
• A fire alarm or emergency — follow staff instructions and know your nearest exit

Tell staff the same day

• Changes you notice: new confusion, unusual sleepiness, pain, not eating, sadness or withdrawal, new bruises or skin tears
• A resident who seems frightened of someone, or tells you something worrying

Abuse, neglect and exploitation

• If you see or suspect abuse, neglect, mistreatment or someone taking a resident's money or belongings — by anyone — tell the person in charge right away. You don't have to be sure; reporting is how residents stay safe.
• If a resident tells you something worrying, listen calmly, don't promise to keep it secret, and tell staff.
• You can also contact your state's long-term care ombudsman or adult protective services.

• Write clearly in large print with short paragraphs. Many residents have letters read aloud by staff.
• Share everyday things — your pets, garden, weather, favorite recipes, what your town is like. Ask open questions ("What was your first job?").
• Keep it cheerful. Avoid politics, heavy news and detailed health talk.
• Use your first name only and send mail through the community's address — not your home address.
• Be consistent. If you need to stop writing, send a kind goodbye letter so your pen pal isn't left waiting.
• Don't promise visits or gifts you aren't sure you can keep.

• Follow the community's request. If there's no name, "Dear Friend" works well.
• No glitter, confetti or loose items — they're hard to clean and can be unsafe.
• Don't assume a faith or holiday unless the request says so. "Thinking of you" fits everyone.
• Avoid "Get well soon" unless it was asked for — many residents live with long-term conditions.
• Sign your first name and, if you like, your town and a little about yourself.

• Confirm the time, length (30–45 minutes is often ideal), space, outlets and audience before you come. Arrive early to set up.
• Choose familiar songs from residents' younger years, plus requests. Keep volume comfortable.
• Invite participation — sing-alongs with large-print song sheets, clapping, simple instruments — rather than only performing at people.
• It's normal for residents to come and go, doze or sing along off-key. All of it means you're welcome.

• Coordinate with the activity director or chaplain about schedule, place and who would like to attend.
• Attendance is always the resident's choice. Respect every faith tradition and those with none.
• Use large-print hymn sheets or readings; keep services shorter than at your own congregation.
• Offer prayer or scripture one-on-one only when a resident asks for it. Never pressure or recruit.

Plan ahead with the community

• Agree on the date, time, length (about 45–60 minutes), group size, ages, the room you'll use and what you'll do. Many communities prefer small groups — ask.
• Ask what the community requires of the adults (sign-in, ID, screening or orientation) and whether children may visit residents' rooms or only common areas.
• Bring enough adults: follow your school's, troop's or co-op's supervision ratio, and never leave children alone with a resident.
• Collect parent or guardian permission — including for photos — and ask the community about its own photo and consent rules for residents.
• Keep any child who is sick at home, even with a mild cold.

Prepare your group

• Explain what they may see: wheelchairs, walkers, oxygen tubing, people who don't hear or see well, who repeat themselves or who fall asleep — and that it's all okay.
• Practice: introduce yourself, speak clearly, look at the person, ask easy questions ("What's your favorite song?"), and say goodbye warmly.
• Set expectations: walking feet, indoor voices, phones away, no food or candy for residents, never push a wheelchair, and ask an adult if unsure.
• Plan a simple, structured activity: songs, crafts, reading together, interviews, games. Bring all supplies and have a backup.

During and after the visit

• Everyone washes hands on arrival and before leaving. Stay together and follow staff directions.
• Let residents choose whether to join in; some will just watch, and that's fine.
• Talk with your group afterward about what they experienced and how they felt.
• Record service hours for each participant if your program needs them, and send a thank-you to the community.

• Let the resident lead. Sometimes the best visit is simply sitting together.
• Reminisce with photos, music, objects or questions about their life and work.
• Adapt materials: large print, big game pieces, non-toxic supplies, no sharp tools unless staff approves.
• Gardening: raised beds or tables, gloves, sun protection, shade and water breaks.
• Technology: help with video calls or photos only with the resident's permission. Never handle passwords, banking or purchases.
• Virtual visits: schedule with staff, test the connection first and keep sessions short and simple.

For residents

• Connection and less loneliness
• Something to look forward to and a sense of purpose
• Joy, laughter and better mood
• Staying engaged — mind, body and spirit
• Feeling known and remembered as a whole person, not just a patient

For volunteers

• Purpose and meaning — and new friendships across generations
• Research from the University of Michigan found that older adults who volunteered more than 100 hours a year (about two hours a week) were less likely to be lonely years later
• New skills, references, and school, work or service hours

For communities and staff

• More variety and one-on-one time in the activity program
• Extra hands for events and celebrations
• Stronger ties with the local community, schools and faith groups

Set it up

• Write a simple volunteer policy and a short description for each role (pen pal, music, friendly visitor, event helper, group visit).
• Decide which roles act on the facility's behalf and need full screening, and which visiting groups are treated as visitors. Follow your own country's and state's or province's rules. In the United States, federal rules require nursing homes to screen people who act on their behalf (F606/F607) and to train volunteers in line with their roles (42 CFR § 483.95), including abuse prevention and reporting and dementia care. Check your state's rules and your own policies.
• Name one contact person for volunteers and a backup.

Recruit and screen

• Post specific needs on Pen Pal Tree — "pianist for monthly sing-along, Tuesdays 2 pm" gets more responses than "volunteers wanted".
• Reach out to schools, homeschool groups, faith communities, scouts, clubs and service-hour programs.
• Use an application, check references, and complete background, registry and health screening as your policy requires. Keep documentation.

Orient and train

• Cover a tour, check-in, emergency procedures, infection prevention, resident rights and privacy, abuse prevention and reporting, dementia communication and role limits (no feeding, transfers or personal care unless trained).
• Have volunteers sign that they received your orientation. You can share this page as a pre-read; it doesn't replace your facility's orientation.

Match and support

• Match volunteers to residents' interests from their activity assessments and preferences, and to the volunteer's skills and schedule.
• Start small. Check in after the first visits and give feedback.
• Have materials ready and a clear sign-in and sign-out process.

Document

• Record hours, activities and resident participation. Volunteer-led programs are part of your activity program.
• On Pen Pal Tree you can confirm completed visits and volunteer hours, which helps volunteers who need service-hour records.

Recognize and retain

• Thank volunteers often: notes from residents (with permission), certificates, a recognition event during National Volunteer Week in April.
• Share the difference they make — a story or a photo shared with consent.

When something goes wrong

• Address concerns early and kindly; retrain or adjust the role.
• End a placement when needed, and always follow your abuse-reporting policy.

• Application and references received
• Screening completed per policy (background or registry check, health screening such as TB test or vaccines)
• Facility orientation completed and acknowledgment signed
• Role description reviewed, including what volunteers may not do
• Emergency procedures and infection prevention reviewed
• Abuse prevention and reporting reviewed
• Dementia communication basics reviewed
• Contact person, schedule and check-in process confirmed
• Photo and privacy rules explained
• First visit supervised; follow-up check-in scheduled