From Strangers to Best Friends: How Volunteering in a Healthcare Setting Changed Two Lives

When Noah, a 20-year-old pre-med student, first learned about hospice care in one of his college classes, he felt an immediate pull to get involved.

“I thought it would be a wonderful way to support my community,” he recalls. “I was a bit nervous that I would not be able to connect personally with the patients.” He explains, “I was concerned that the patients would not accept such a young volunteer and worried that they would not like me.”

Those doubts faded the moment Noah met Toby.

The First Meeting

Toby, a sharp-witted and optimistic 102-year-old, was sitting on her couch watching TV when Noah stepped into her room for the first time.

“I called her name from the doorway,” Noah says, “and a huge grin appeared on her face as she welcomed me in.” He then adds, “Her warmth instantly put me at ease.”

From then on, Noah visited almost every day. At first, Noah and Toby played simple board and card games together, chatting about favorite foods, colors and TV shows as they played. Toby was sometimes forgetful, occasionally losing track of game rules or repeating questions. But Noah did not mind and kept showing up for Toby.

The Power of Consistency

Over time, something remarkable happened. Toby’s focus sharpened. Her memory improved. She began recalling game rules with ease, even reminding Noah of their “house modifications” to classics like WAR and rummy. Their conversations grew deeper, moving from small talk to detailed life stories and meaningful personal reflections.

“She told me about growing up during the Great Depression, meeting her husband at Columbia, co-directing The Goldbergs, raising her children in Beverly Hills and even walking the Red Carpet,” Noah says. “When we were talking, it felt like I was reading a well-written book about her life.”

Mutual Growth

It wasn’t just Toby who changed. Noah found himself absorbing her wisdom, her lessons about optimism, resilience, and the importance of savoring life’s simple pleasures.

One of the most profound things she taught Noah was that you can face uncertainty with grace. Toby doesn’t dwell on the past or fear the future. She looks forward to her next meal, her next conversation, her next laugh. That’s a perspective that Noah will carry with him forever.

Toby feels the same way about Noah’s visits. She shared that she loves their visits and she looks forward to seeing Noah on a regular basis. He brings a fresh outlook to her about what is happening in the world. She feels it’s amazing to be able to learn so much from him.

More Than Games

Their time together is filled with New York Times crossword puzzles, Scrabble battles, music from Toby’s childhood and even co-creating new games like “Circular War.” But the real magic happens in their conversations, as they share personal anecdotes, discuss life choices, and celebrate victories, big and small. 

Noah said that he finds their conversations about the past to be especially emotional and impactful. “It is amazing to hear about all of the obstacles she has resiliently  overcome, and how she has used what she has learned in the past to meet the challenges she faces today.” He continued, “She teaches me how to face challenges in my own life with confidence, and how to treat mistakes as important learning opportunities.” He emphasized that, “when I tell her about a mistake or a regret, she never lets me off the hook. She asks me to discuss how I can learn from the experience and ensure, to my best ability, better outcomes moving forwards. She always emphasizes that it’s not about punishing myself for my mistakes, nor is it valuable to ruminate about them for too long, but it’s important that I hold myself accountable for what’s occurred and learn from the experience.” He adds that, “this learning method has been very effective so far.” 

Why This Matters

Noah’s story is a powerful reminder of how volunteers enrich patient care, not just by offering companionship, but also by building genuine, lasting relationships. These connections bridge generations, spark cognitive engagement, and bring joy that cannot be measured in charts or checklists.

For Noah, healthcare volunteering has been life-changing. “I’ve developed one of the most meaningful relationships of my life,” he says. “I problem-solve differently. I approach challenges with optimism. And whenever I come across a difficult situation, I think to myself, ‘What would Toby say about this?’”

Noah also emphasized, “Toby means a lot to me. Not just because she has taught me so much, but also because it is wonderful to spend time with her, and to feel a mutual connection enriched with care for each other and support for each of our respective ambitions in life.”

Advice for Future Volunteers

Noah is quick to encourage others to get involved, “Volunteering is not just for the patients. It’s for you, too. You’ll grow in ways you cannot imagine,” he says.  Spending time with patients not only provides you with the opportunity to develop incredible relationships, but also sharpens your communication skills, teaches you how to read non-verbal cues, and helps you navigate conversations with people from different generations and backgrounds. It can also build emotional resilience, which is something Noah says has been invaluable as a pre-med student preparing for a career in healthcare, as well as in his other personal relationships. “You learn how to truly listen, communicate effectively, and provide supportive socioemotional care to others.” He explains, “But most importantly, and what I want to be the main takeaway from my experience, is that you may also develop a meaningful relationship that changes your life forever.”

Noah’s advice to incoming volunteers is to:

• Be consistent. Showing up regularly makes a big difference. 
• Engage the mind. Play games, reminisce about the past, and adapt activities to keep things interesting. Be creative. Create unique experiences and lasting memories!
• Have fun, and try not take this incredible opportunity for granted. Volunteering is something you will look forward to on a daily basis. When I go back to school in Ithaca after a summer spent with Toby, I find myself missing her a lot, and try to come home whenever I can to see her and spend time together. The time that I spend with Toby is truly special to me and I am so grateful for the opportunity to be in her company. I am also very grateful that Toby has been so generous with her time for me. She keeps herself very busy, yet still manages to block out time for me.  

Noah also remarks that, “the relationship that I have built with Toby means a lot to me. She is an incredible person and it has been an honor to get to know her so well. Ultimately, getting to know Toby has been the greatest gift I have received as a volunteer.” 

Join Us

At Ennoble Care, we believe that volunteers are an essential part of our care teams. They bring warmth, connection and a sense of normalcy to patients’ lives, often becoming cherished friends along the way.

If Noah and Toby’s story inspires you, we invite you to explore our volunteer opportunities. Whether you have a certified therapy dog or simply a willingness to spend time with someone, your presence can make all the difference! 

One hour a week. One conversation. One friendship.

That’s all it takes to change a life—maybe even two.

Learn more about becoming a volunteer with Ennoble Care.