Volunteer Work in a Retirement Home
- Quick facts
- Program Details
- Costs and services
- Photos
Booking Number
CL-VOL101
Program Place
Retirment homes, Homes for the Elderly
Location
Santiago de Chile
Tasks
Depending on the placement, tasks may be:
- Supporting meaningful occupation of the home residents
- Walking with the seniors
- Playing games, reading aloud, telling stories, listening, etc.
- Giving mental support
- Helping in the kitchen and during mealtimes
- Assisting the nursing staff
(We would like to point out that the tasks may vary and depend on factors such as the number of volunteers, weather, season, current needs of the project, and self-motivation. Volunteers may not be fully involved in all the tasks mentioned above.)
Working Hours
Between 30 and 40 hours / week
Start Date
Year round, start and end dates are flexible
Duration
Minimum 4 weeks, maximum 6 months
Minimum Age
18 years
Language
Spanish at communication level (book your Spanish course in Chile with us!)
Accommodation
The accommodation takes place in a homestay. This means you will live in a private household where one or more rooms are rented. Accommodation hosts are individual persons (e.g. señoras, young professionals), couples, families or students. You will have a single room with access to the common areas. Internet is included. All our accommodations are in safe neighborhoods with good connection to local transportation. Half-board can also be booked.
(Note: Only valid for Volunteer Work Premium, which includes the accommodation.)
Internet
Our homestays are equipped with internet connection (wifi).
In-Country Support
Our English-speaking team in the Chile Inside office in Santiago de Chile is always there for you.
24/7 Emergency Number
With the booking confirmation you will receive our 24-hour emergency number, under which you can reach us 24/7 in case of emergency.
Application
Please send us your detailed CV with photo and the completed registration form. For more information on the registration process, please see the instructions on the first page of the registration form or contact one of our experienced staff members.
Application Deadline
There are no application deadlines. We recommend submitting the documents as early as possible, at least 12 weeks before the desired start of the program, so that there is sufficient time to assure a smooth placement process. For short-term applications please contact us.
Insurance
You need to have a travel health insurance for Chile. You can buy your travel insurance, tailored to the needs of our participants, online with us, at convenient rates. See: Travel health insurance
Program Highlights
- Individual project placement
- No application deadlines
- Flexible start and end dates
- Participation possible even without prior knowledge
- English-speaking support through our local office
- Amazing program location in the metropolis of Santiago de Chile
Old age poverty is a big problem in Chile. Unfortunately, the Chilean social system is not as well developed as in industrialized countries. Pensions are much lower in terms of the cost of living and the elderly often have very little or nothing to live from.
Unfortunately, this causes many senior citizens to work until they can no longer and then have little opportunity to pay for their lives. They may even have no family members who can or want to take care of them. This is also due to the often difficult working conditions and low wages with lack of state support. Many families simply can not afford to work less in order to care for their seniors, even if they want to.
Many seniors are therefore dependent on the help of non-profit organizations. They run retirement homes that provide shelter, medical care, meals, spiritual assistance and entertainment for people between the ages of 65 and 100. Most homes are simple and functional, and there is often a lack of helping hands.
The retirement homes are usually dependent on donations or religious aid organizations and the comitment of volunteers. Here you come into play! Give back to society and volunteer in a nursing home. With your volunteer work you can counteract this serious social problem and make a meaningful impact.
While volunteering in a retirement home in Chile, you will feel the warmth and gratitude of the residents. Often the Christian religion plays an important role both for the operators of the facilities and for the elderly, so you should be open and tolerant. You'll be surprised how interesting the life stories of seniors can be. If you get involved, they will certainly share their experiences and stories with you. So you can take a lot more than just gaining work experience abroad but also broaden your horizon and learn intercultural skills.
To complete this volunteer work in Chile, you do not need any special prior knowledge. However, you should be sensitive, dutiful and independent, and good with people.
Once you have been successfully placed in a volunteer work, we will send you the program description. So, you will know exactly where you will be volunteering before your departure to Chile.
Volunteer Work Basic includes:
- Advice from our experienced staff
- On-going support via WhatsApp, phone or mail
- Elaboration of your application profile in Spanish
- Your Volunteer Work placement
- Pre-departure information
- Packing list
- Country handbook
- Intercultural guide
- On-site volunteer coordinator
- 24/7 emergency number
- Advice on travel insurance
- Certificate of participation
Costs Basic
Registration fee
US$ 150
Placement fee
US$ 300
minimum stay 4 weeks
each additional week
US$ 15
Volunteer Work Premium includes additionally:
- Airport pick-up in Santiago de Chile
- Single room in a local homestay (surcharge of US$ 100/week for daily breakfast & dinner)
Costs Premium
registration fee
US$ 150
Placement fee + accommodation + airport pick-up
US$ 1,070
minimum stay 4 weeks
each additional week
US$ 195
As add-on you can book:
- Spanish courses in Chile: Choose your favorite Spanish school among 4 different locations