Companion Care

About the Companion Care Program

Hospitals can be lonely places for patients, especially older adults who may have few, if any, family members or friends living nearby to visit them. That’s why, through the vision and generosity of the Samuel Steinberg Family Foundation, the Companion Care Program was originally launched in the Geriatrics Special Care Unit 5 North West (5NW) at UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center. With additional support from the Eisner Foundation, the program has expanded to an additional unit—4 Merle Norman (4MN)—at UCLA Santa Monica Hospital, as well as two more units—7 East (7E) and 5 East (5E)—at UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center in Westwood.

Under this program, specially trained volunteers provide individualized companionship to older patients while they are hospitalized. Typical activities provided by these companions include – but are not limited to – reading, playing games, assisting with feeding and accompanying patients on walks under a nurse’s supervision.

The Companion Care Program was also recently featured on CBS news! 

The Companion Care Program fosters meaningful intergenerational connections between student volunteers and geriatric patients in the hospital. It offers students valuable communication skills and exposure to the hospital environment, which is especially beneficial for those pursuing careers in healthcare. The program enhances the hospital experience for both students and older adult patients, benefiting everyone involved. Many of our past volunteers have gone on to attend medical and nursing school.