Guide
How to Volunteer at a Nursing Home
Nursing homes and skilled nursing communities care for people with higher medical needs. Volunteering there is possible and valuable — with clearer rules, more supervision, and no hands-on clinical work.
Steps that actually work
1. Find a community that is accepting volunteers. 2. Apply with your real identity information. 3. Complete any screening or orientation the community requires. 4. Show government-issued ID at check-in. 5. Stay in designated areas and follow staff direction.
Do not walk in unannounced and ask to “help out.” Communities need to know who is in the building and why.
What you will not be asked to do
Volunteers do not provide nursing care, transfer residents, handle medications, or access medical records. If a resident needs clinical help, you get a staff member.
Use InterGen Volunteer to skip the cold call
Partner communities post nursing home and senior living roles on InterGen Volunteer so you can see what is open instead of calling every facility in town.
Ready to take the next step?
InterGen Volunteer is free for volunteers. Senior living communities post the opportunities; you apply and track hours.
Communities: see how InterGen Volunteer works for senior living.