The Crozer-Keystone Health System recently launched the Friendly Visitor Program as part of the senior-friendly initiative at Springfield Hospital.

The program provides a lay companion to ensure that elderly patients’ emotional and social needs are met in addition to their medical needs.

Because nurses must care for several patients at any given time, they often are unable to spend lengthy amounts of time socializing with each patient. Friendly visitors provide companionship in times when it’s needed most.

The friendly visitor team makes a patient’s hospital stay a more pleasant and personal experience by providing one-on-one socialization. The visitors use items from activity boxes and comfort kits that are kept at the nurses’ station. These activities usually consist of solving puzzles, playing card games, and reading the newspaper.

The goal is to keep patients engaged during their stay.

“Emotionally, people have a need to feel connected,” said Margaret Stevens, Administrative Director of Crozer-Keystone Senior Health Services. “The Friendly Visitor Program’s goal is to provide socialization for older adult patients and discourage any feelings of isolation they may have.”

Katie Wenger, 17, worked as a friendly visitor this summer.

“I’ve had a great experience,” she said. “The patients have been so nice when we have conversations. Many of them reminisce about being volunteers themselves. My experience as a friendly visitor has helped me to build upon my positivity and compassion.”

Springfield Hospital is currently looking for outgoing, positive, service-oriented individuals to join the friendly visitor team. There is no age requirement. If interested, contact Janet Kalup, Director of Volunteer Services, at 610-328-8838 or janet.kalup@crozer.org.