For patients in need of emotional support during their stay, Cheshire Medical Center offers Compassionate Companions to provide comfort.
These specially trained volunteers are available for patients on end-of-life care, receiving chemotherapy or any inpatients in need of emotional support and socialization.
Compassionate Companions—started in 2023 through Cheshire’s Palliative Care program—aim to provide a calm, non-judgmental presence for patients, especially those who are at Cheshire for extended periods of time or may not have loved ones visiting them in the hospital. The companions can sit and talk with patients, read out loud, play music or share silence.
“We are so grateful for the volunteers who give their time and support to our patients and families,” said Jennifer McCalley, LICSW, ACHP-SW, social worker and program manager in Cheshire’s Palliative Medicine and Oncology departments, who helped start the program.
The Compassionate Companions program is one of Cheshire’s Community Benefits—non-billable activities Cheshire employees do to improve the health and well-being of our community.
If you or a loved one would benefit from a Compassionate Companion visit, McCalley can be reached at 603-354-5454 ext. 2122 or at jmccalley@cheshire-med.com.