Give an hour: volunteer roles helping older people on the Cape
Most roles ask for an hour or two a week and come with training. Many of the people you help will be your neighbours, and some of the volunteers are in their eighties.
Meals on Wheels driver
Elder Services of Cape Cod & the Islands · Cape-wide
Time: 1–2 hrs/week average · Training: Orientation & training provided
508-394-4630 or 800-244-4630 (Volunteer Resources) · How to sign up
Senior dining center server/greeter or kitchen aide
Elder Services of Cape Cod & the Islands · Cape-wide
Time: 1–2 hrs/week average · Training: Orientation & training provided
Money Management Program bill payer
Elder Services of Cape Cod & the Islands · Cape-wide
Time: 1–2 hrs/week average · Training: Certification training required and provided
Long-Term Care Ombudsman (visit nursing/rest home residents, advocate)
Elder Services of Cape Cod & the Islands · Cape-wide
Time: 1–2 hrs/week average · Training: Certification required and provided
Osteoporosis exercise class leader; office/admin support
Elder Services of Cape Cod & the Islands · Cape-wide
Time: 1–2 hrs/week average · Training: Training provided
SHINE volunteer health-insurance (Medicare) counselor
Cape & Islands Regional SHINE Program (Barnstable County Dept. of Human Services) · Cape-wide (counseling at COAs)
Time: Year-round, peak Oct 15–Dec 7 open enrollment; ~71 counselors, ~72% volunteers · Training: ~40 hours of training, certified by MA Executive Office of Elder Affairs; annual recertification; next class date not published — call
Drivers, tech helpers, gardeners, organizers, handy skills
Bay to Sound Neighbors (aging-in-place village) · Yarmouth, Dennis
Time: Fully flexible, set your own schedule · Training: CORI check + orientation/training class; drivers provide license, insurance, registration
Drivers (medical, grocery, social), errands, tech help
Barnstable Neighbor 2 Neighbor (aging-in-place village) · All 7 villages of Barnstable (Hyannis, Centerville, Osterville, Cotuit, Marstons Mills, Barnstable, West Barnstable)
Time: Flexible · Training: Application + CORI form, then volunteer orientation and handbook
Transportation, social visits, computer help, home maintenance
Nauset Neighbors (aging-in-place village) · Brewster, Chatham, Eastham, Harwich, Orleans, Wellfleet
Time: Flexible · Training: Contact for details
Drivers, companionship and other member help
Neighborhood Falmouth (aging-in-place village) · Falmouth
Time: A few hours a week or a few hours a month · Training: Contact for details
508-564-7543 (member & volunteer info) · volunteer@neighborhoodfalmouth.org · How to sign up
Hospice patient/family companion, respite, grief groups, therapy pets, office/events
HopeHealth (hospice; formerly Hospice & Palliative Care of Cape Cod) · Cape Cod & MA/RI
Time: Not stated · Training: Application process like employees + new-volunteer training
833-818-1919 · VolunteeratHopeHealth@HopeHealthCo.org · How to sign up
Hospice volunteer (comfort/support to patients and families; clerical support)
VNA of Cape Cod Hospice (Cape Cod Healthcare) · Cape-wide
Time: Not stated · Training: Contact for details
Hospital volunteer / auxiliary (Cape Cod Hospital, Falmouth Hospital)
Cape Cod Healthcare · Hyannis, Falmouth
Time: Not stated · Training: Application required
Adult tutor (English, citizenship prep, HiSET)
Cape Cod Literacy Council · Cape-wide (sessions incl. Cape Cod Community College)
Time: A few hours a month · Training: Tutor training sessions offered throughout the year in Hyannis
Construction volunteer; ReStore (Yarmouth & Falmouth) cashier/staging/loading; events, quilting, office
Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod · Cape-wide; ReStores in Yarmouth and Falmouth
Time: Builds Tue & Sat (some Thu) 7:45 am–3:30 pm; ReStore shifts Mon–Sat 9–1 or 1–5 · Training: No experience needed, on-site training and tools; background check required
508-362-3559 x128 (Sandra Harrison) · sandra@habitatcapecod.org · How to sign up
Food pantry volunteer (client shopping, donations)
The Family Pantry of Cape Cod · Harwich (serves Lower/Mid Cape)
Time: Shifts Tue–Thu & Sat · Training: Apply online (Volgistics)
Food pantry / service center volunteer (400+ volunteers)
Falmouth Service Center · Falmouth
Time: Not stated · Training: Contact for details
Clinical and non-clinical: clinics, emergency shelters, health education, events, admin
Barnstable County Medical Reserve Corps · Cape-wide
Time: Not stated · Training: County-provided training (CPR/First Aid, ICS/NIMS) listed on application
Volunteer driver (routine medical rides in own car)
Brewster Council on Aging · Brewster
Time: Not stated · Training: Contact COA
Also: Neighbour-to-neighbour groups in the directory. Organisations looking for volunteers can ask to be listed here, free.