Purposeful visits for hospitalized older adult patients

Hospitalization can be an isolating and stressful experience for older adults who find themselves cut off from normal routines and social support systems. The Purposeful Visitation Program (PVP) provided structured interactions for hospitalized geriatric patients using volunteers trained to elicit discussion about recreation and leisure. The goal of the program was to improve patients' orientation, level of calmness, and mood through guided cognitively stimulating interactions. Between January and July 2010, seven volunteers were trained and provided the program to 98 older adults on a geriatric inpatient hospital unit of a large academic medical center. Ninety-nine percent of patients reported enjoying their volunteer visit, and 96% thought other patients would also benefit. Volunteers and staff observed improvements, primarily in patient mood, after visits. PVP represents a cost-effective method of providing structured, individualized, and stimulating social interactions for older adults in a hospital setting.