Compassionate Companions

Social connection and support for vulnerable patients

At The Wesley Hospital, our compassionate and highly trained volunteers provide social connection and support to patients who may be far from home, away from support networks, living with dementia, experiencing a long hospital stay, or approaching the final stages of their life.

Dementia and Delirium In-patient Program

The Wesley’s Dementia and Delirium In-patient Program connects highly trained volunteers with patients for social engagement.

While routines in hospital are focused on providing clinical care, sometimes the fast-paced ward environment can be disruptive to a person’s general wellbeing, especially those whose vulnerability centres around cognitive impairment.

That’s where our volunteer Compassionate Companions can play an important role, especially when it is difficult for family or friends to visit a loved one in hospital. We know that social engagement has many benefits for patients and is demonstrated to support recovery and reduce length of stay.

Volunteers in our Dementia and Delirium In-patient Program are trained and supported to specifically engage with patients living with dementia and those experiencing delirium in hospital.

The program is tailored to the needs of each patient, and is supported by our pastoral care and multidisciplinary treating teams, who work together with volunteers to provide patient-centred care.

Vulnerable In-Patient Service

Our Vulnerable In-Patient (VIP) Service offers social engagement to patients to complement our high-quality clinical care.

Supported by our pastoral care and our multidisciplinary clinical care teams, the VIP Service connects trained volunteers with vulnerable patients to enjoy some social time together. Vulnerable patients might include people who:

• Are experiencing a long hospital stay.
• Are a long way from home and support networks.
• Have impaired mobility.
• Have a cognitive impairment.

Volunteers are supported to engage with patients in the ward, with activities tailored to each person, such as:

• A chat over a cup of tea.
• A walk in the gardens.
• Doing a jigsaw puzzle.
• Playing a boardgame.
• Sharing a meal together.

End of Life Compassionate Companion

Our End of Life Compassionate Companions are highly trained volunteers who provide a calm and affirming presence for patients who may otherwise die alone.

No one is born alone and, in the best of circumstances, no one needs to die alone. Yet from time to time, some patients may find themselves approaching the end of life with no support network nearby, or they may have family and friends who are in desperate need of respite.

Our volunteers provide an opportunity to honour life with dignity and respect and their calm, reassuring presence makes a significant difference for patients.

The End of Life Compassionate Companion Service is available for patients on a comfort care pathway who are expected to die within 48 to 72 hours and do not have family or friends to accompany them during this time.

We have a roster of volunteers who can be stood up at short notice to provide bedside companionship and support 24 hours a day to ensure a patient is not alone when they pass.