December 3, 2010 | Ontario

Patients at nursing homes and hospitals can use extra vistiors during the holidays

Toronto, ON - December 3, 2010 - The holiday season brings images of family and friends getting together, and of laughter, good times and good food. But not everyone has family and friends close by and this is especially hard for patients in acute care hospitals or long-term care facilities.

Volunteering at a Nursing Home

If you have time to spare this holiday season, you may want to help out somewhere - a place where volunteers can share some holiday spirit. Volunteering at a local nursing home or long-term care hospital is a great option, especially for those interested in a healthcare career.

If you are thinking of going into nursing, volunteering in a nursing home can help you get an idea of what the environment is like and what the patients are like. The nursing staff usually appreciates having visitors for the patients because it allows them to use their time to do their work while they know their patients aren't alone.

Volunteer Nursing Jobs

Becoming a nurse is much more than just handing out medications and doing treatments. Being a nurse means understanding your patients and helping them when they feel lonely and alone. Through volunteering, you see this side. Hospitals and nursing homes have many nursing volunteer jobs available. You could:

• Take the time to sit with patients gives them the gift of time.


• Some patients can't speak. They may be silenced due to a stroke or other illness - but there's no need to have a conversation. Sometimes just sitting there and holding a hand is all that is needed.


• Read a book or a newspaper to someone whose eyesight is failing.


• Transporting patients to and from appointments or to see family.


• Help a patient to eat or drink.

If you're interested in volunteering in a nursing home, you only need to pick up the phone and call to see if they need you. Or, even better, why not drop by and speak with someone in the administration. This could be one of the best gifts you give all year.

Fill in the form to your left to find out more about the nursing programs at CDI College.