COMPREHENSIVE REPORT: VOLUNTEER COMPANION PROGRAM AT MAPLEWOOD GARDENS LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY

Background: Social isolation is an important concern among older adults in long-term care, particularly residents who receive few or no regular visitors. This project developed and implemented a structured Volunteer Companion Program to promote social interaction through consistent, person-centred companionship. Materials and Methods: An eight-week program was implemented at Maplewood Gardens Long-Term Care Facility. Residents experiencing social isolation were identified using visitor frequency, self-reported loneliness, and staff observations. Community volunteers were recruited, screened, trained through a two-hour orientation, and matched with residents according to interests, communication preferences, cultural and linguistic considerations, and personal histories. Program outcomes were evaluated using visit records, volunteer feedback, and frontline staff observations. Results: Eight residents were enrolled, exceeding the minimum target of six, and seven volunteers completed screening and orientation. All eight matched resident-volunteer pairs completed at least one companionship visit, and six pairs completed two visits. Visits lasted 45–90 minutes. Volunteer feedback was positive, while staff observations indicated improved resident mood and engagement on visit days. All six original project objectives were achieved. Conclusion: A structured volunteer companion program was feasible to implement in a long-term care setting and provided opportunities for meaningful resident social engagement. Future evaluation should incorporate standardized measures of loneliness and well-being to assess longer-term outcomes.