EntourAGE is a person-centred intergenerational volunteer program where older adults, including those living with dementia, can engage in one-on-one interactions with high school, college and university students, called companions.
EntourAGE provides a comprehensive program across community and long-term care homes for older adults seeking companionship from secondary and post-secondary student volunteers.
Companions (volunteers) are assigned to a single older adult over an extended period of time, which foster meaningful 1-on-1 relationships. Additional benefits include relief for care partners, educational opportunities for students and improved quality of life for older adults in the program.
Why Participate?
- Friendly visits between older adults and students (companions)
- Engagement in social and recreational activities
- Improve quality of life for both older adults and their care partner
Setting
- Long-term care homes
- Retirement homes
- Other community settings
Requirements for Volunteers
- Be a high school, college or university student
- Willing to get a police check
- Additional setting specific requirements
Why Us?
1-on-1 relationship building: Students are assigned to a specific indiviudal to develop a meaningful relationship.
Meaningful interactions: Preferences (e.g., language, interests) are taken into account when matching student and older adult participating in the program.
Support & Coaching: Monthly sessions are provided for students to learn about dementia, hear from experts, and engage in peer-to-peer learning.
Participant Quotes
[Companion’s name] is a god send, especially with all the issues that have been going around in my life. I could have not asked for a better person. She even went as far as getting water-based nail polish so that my mom can use it (Family Caregiver)
[Residents name] is very comfortable chatting with me now and we have good conversations. She likes to know what I’ve been up to and tells me what she’s been up to (Student Companion)
Our father had enjoyed drawing and painting in the past and we were contemplating having him attend an art class at [organization’s name]…. To this end, [companion’s name] was willing to quickly change her own hectic schedule to accommodate my father so that he may attend the art class.
We are truly grateful to have [companion’s name] as a volunteer for our father. She has demonstrated an immense amount of compassion, selflessness, and commitment in her role as a volunteer (Family Caregiver)
I enjoy my visits with [name of the resident]. I have seen that she has opened up to me a lot and that change is very exciting to see (Student Companion)
I loved visiting my companion. I recently had the pleasure of attending [resident’s name] funeral upon [name of resident’s daughter] invitation so it was nice to be able to pay my respects and speak a bit about my time with her (Student Companion)