From pet visits to bedside companionship: How volunteers are bringing connection to hospitalized seniors

The unfamiliar and overwhelming environment can leave them feeling lonely, frightened and disoriented, and put them at risk of developing delirium – a sudden change in the way a person thinks or behaves that can lead to further medical complications. But complex care needs and high patient volumes can make it challenging for hospital staff to connect with each patient to offer support and companionship. 

That’s why Sinai Health’s Maximizing Aging Using Volunteer Engagement (MAUVE) program is so important. Made possible by donor support and drawing on more than 100 specially-trained volunteers, MAUVE creates unique moments of connection for hospitalized seniors through a range of daily activities. 

These volunteers are fully integrated into the care teams at both Mount Sinai and Hennick Bridgepoint Hospitals, offering non-clinical support to patients in the form of activities and mealtime assistance. From bedside visits with games catering to various levels of cognitive capacity and crafting and painting programs, to ‘pet visits’ from a friendly animal, each activity is specially designed to improve the well-being of hospitalized older patients. 

Dedicated volunteers help drive stronger patient outcomes

When Zoe started volunteering in a hospital setting, she had no idea how much of an impression older patients would make on her heart. The  grad  student is studying health sciences at the University of Toronto, and she’s been a volunteer with the MAUVE program at Mount Sinai Hospital since 2023. 

Zoe’s first connection to MAUVE was through the EmpowART project, which is run in collaboration with the University. Every Friday, students come to Mount Sinai Hospital and lead an interactive painting session. Zoe’s gentle demeanor and ability to connect with patients caught the attention of the staff team, and, eventually, she was asked if she’d be willing to join the program as a regular volunteer. Now, she comes in every Monday to engage in friendly visits – a practice where volunteers go from room to room, checking in on senior patients to provide companionship and engagement. 

“Being a part of this program is one of the things that really gives my life purpose,” says Zoe. “My conversations can range from being really deep with a patient, depending on how much they want to share with me, to something very surface level. But I feel like every single one of those interactions benefits them and I feel so privileged to have this opportunity to brighten their day.”

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With the program’s specialized training, ongoing learning opportunities, high volunteer retention, as well as support and integration with the care teams across both hospitals – MAUVE is truly one-of-a-kind. Evidence suggests that social connection can positively impact health outcomes for older adults. So, by creating opportunities for these kinds of friendly, engaging visits, the MAUVE program aspires to help patients recover more quickly from acute illness, reduce their risk of developing delirium or other complications, and enhance the overall hospital experience. 

Martina, a recent university graduate who hopes to get into medical school, has been volunteering with the program for around eight months. Her volunteering is motivated by her own family’s experiences in the health-care system and is deeply rooted in a desire to be someone who makes a difference in the lives of others. 

“Working with this patient population has really affirmed my aspirations of working in the medical field. We have many different ways to engage with patients, like bingo, trivia, ball toss, bracelet making, nail painting and crossword puzzles. So, the type of activity we do really depends on the patient’s skills and their progress,” says Martina. “By doing these activities, I’ve seen a huge difference in people’s moods, and when that happens it really feels like I’m making a positive difference in their life, even as a volunteer.

‘Pet Teams’ bring special moments of connection and comfort

Sometimes, the volunteers are paired with special four-legged, furry friends who join them on their visits. These ‘pet teams’, often made up of a friendly dog and their owner, bring a level of comfort that transcends language or cognitive barriers.

Zoe recalls a moment where a pet team joined her on a visit to an older, French-speaking patient. At first, the woman didn’t understand why the dog was there. Using her own limited French, Zoe explained that the dog was there to spend time with the woman. As soon as the dog put his head in her lap, the patient started petting him.

Then she started opening up to Zoe about how lonely she had been feeling, and how much the dog reminded her of her own waiting for her at home. Even after the pet team moved on to the next patient, Zoe stayed with the patient who continued to open up to her about her love of knitting and the family members who live far away.

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Zoe left that interaction feeling grateful that she was able to offer the woman some relief from her loneliness, even if they had spent much of the time sitting together in silence. 

“I think we often overlook how important it is to just be in the presence of another person,” says Zoe. “In medicine, a person’s physical health is definitely a priority. But mental health is also so important, especially for those who have dementia or varying levels of cognitive ability. So, when I’m in these visits, I really feel like I’m part of the health-care team, because I’m contributing to such an important part of their psychosocial well-being."  

You can help bring hospitalized seniors meaningful companionship 

The MAUVE program is paving the way for volunteers from across the community to be meaningfully involved in the care of hospitalized seniors. Even though the program is largely possible thanks to volunteer support, the Volunteer Resources team still needs to purchase items like art supplies, books, puzzles and other items that help support the program. 

When you donate in support of the MAUVE program, you’re equipping volunteers to bring joy and connection when patients need it most. Will you make a gift today?  

Please select Other from the gift designation dropdown menu and enter ‘MAUVE’ as the desired gift designation.