Build a Compassionate Community — and Strengthen Your Quality of Care
Partner with the National Association of Long-Term Care Volunteers (NALTCV) to bring authentic, one-to-one relationships into your community. Companion volunteers reduce loneliness, enhance daily experience, and support your team’s work.
Why Volunteer Engagement Is a Leadership Strategy
Loneliness affects well-being
Isolation in long-term care is linked to lower satisfaction, emotional distress, reduced quality of life. Increasing meaningful visits is a simple human way to do that.
Connection improves experience
Regular, trusted visitors help the people living in your community feel seen and valued. Families notice the difference, and it strengthens overall perception and reputation.
A smart use of resources
Structured volunteers contribute meaningful hours at no payroll cost. They complement your care team so staff can focus on clinical priorities.
What NALTCV Provides Your Organization
- Companion Volunteer Framework: A clear, research-informed model that integrates with existing routines and supports person-directed care.
- Volunteer Training & Preparation: Online, self-paced training ensures volunteers arrive prepared, reducing your onboarding time.
- Manager Toolkits: Practical resources for Activities/Life Enrichment professionals to recruit, schedule, and support volunteers.
- Program Guidance: Set-up checklists, simple policies, recognition ideas, and troubleshooting support.
- Evaluation Support: Suggested indicators to track impact on experience, satisfaction, and engagement.
Outcomes Leaders Can Expect
- Better daily experience for the people living in your community and their families.
- Staff relief & morale: Staff relief and improved morale thanks to consistent companionship visits.
- Stronger reputation: Stronger reputation through authentic connection stories and positive experiences
- Community ties: Deeper community ties with local partners, schools, and faith-based organizations
The ROI of Authentic Connection
| Outcome | Organizational Benefit |
|---|---|
| Resident Well-Being | Fewer distress signals and improved satisfaction; more meaningful days. |
| Staff Experience | Reduced burnout through targeted support; volunteers complement—not replace—paid staff. |
| Family Trust & Reputation | Higher satisfaction, stronger word-of-mouth, improved reviews |
| Cost Efficiency | Significant donated hours at no payroll cost; aligns with the Donated hours aligned with Independent Sector’s value of volunteer time. . |
Bottom line: When you invest in authentic relationships, you elevate quality, support your team, and strengthen your community’s culture.
How Partnership Works
1) Connect
We learn about your goals, current workflow, and priorities.
2) Prepare
NALTCV equips volunteers and managers with training and toolkits; you designate a point of contact.
3) Sustain
We offer ongoing ideas, recognition strategies, and simple ways to track impact.
What Leaders Are Saying
“Volunteers have become part of our care team. The culture shift toward connection has been profound.”
“Our volunteer program went from a few occasional visitors to a reliable schedule of companions. Residents light up when they see familiar faces.”
Research & References
- National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The National Imperative to Improve Nursing Home Quality of Care (2022).
- Independent Sector. Estimated Value of Volunteer Time (national and state benchmarks).
- U.S. Surgeon General. Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection .
- Selected scholarly literature on social connection and well-being in later life (available upon request).
NALTCV also provides a brief outcomes tracker you can adapt to your community’s priorities.
Ready to Bring the Power of Connection to Your Community?
Let’s design a simple, sustainable companion volunteer program that supports your goals and your team.