Bringing joy to seniors through virtual video calls
Virtual Park Bench volunteers host video calls with nursing home residents in their most comfortable language to bring the social company and mental support that our seniors deserve
Physically distant, but socially connected
Whether to read the news with friends, discuss the neighborhood gossip, or share a box of chocolates, park benches have become symbols for the beauty, routine, and spontaneity of conversations in the senior community.
With COVID-19, the closure of many parks (and park benches) has been a visible reminder of the limited opportunities senior citizens have to socialize now, particularly in nursing homes. All group activities and communal dining are cancelled, as recommended by the CDC. Visitations are restricted to specific compassionate care situations, e.g. end of life situations. Volunteers and non-essential staff can no longer see residents. As a result, nursing home residents (some of whom speak no English) are left with little to no social interactions.
Virtual Park Bench has partnered with nursing homes to deliver virtual social opportunities for seniors. Based on each nursing home's language preferences and schedule, we pair volunteers to engage in 1-1 virtual conversations. From playing a game of bingo to sharing life stories to talking about the weather, volunteers are bringing joy and energy into senior residents' lives.
We’re volunteers passionate about helping
Virtual Park Bench volunteers are students (mostly pre-med and medical students) and professionals who come from all walks of life, but share a common belief that they can and should help in this time of crisis. Virtual Park Bench volunteers typically display distinctive qualities in:
Non-English languages to connect with seniors in their most comfortable languages
Empathy in connecting with senior residents and being a conversation friend in topics they care most about
Patience in working with nursing home staff and a diverse group of seniors
Technology assistance to help setup video conferencing technology (e.g. Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, WeChat, Messenger) and resolve technical difficulties
If you are interested in becoming a Virtual Park Bench volunteer, we'd appreciate if you could fill out this 5-minute survey.
Bring joy to your senior community
We invite nursing homes, families, hospitals, and other organizations with a senior community to get in touch. We would love to be a thought-partner in creating virtual social experiences for your senior community