Southern AZ VA Health Care System

Prepare volunteers to effectively assist caregivers of Veterans to meet a growing need to support those outside the medical enviroment, who have the daily responsibility of caring for ill and injured Veterans in their homes.

The VA Volunteer Respite Program provides our home-bound Veterans with the opportunity to have qualified and trained volunteers come into their homes once or twice a week for a few hours each visit. The Respite Volunteer will provide socializination and friendly companionship to the Veteran, while giving the caregiver a much deserved break. The VA Volunteer Respite Program also places volunteers in the homes of home-bound Veterans who may be a risk for social isolation.

Volunteers do not provide any hands-on care but do reminisce with the Veteran, read newspapers/books/magazines, play games, work on craft projects, watch movies, write letters, listen to music, or a variety of other activities based on the Veteran's needs and interests.