News release                          

Feb. 3, 2026

CONTACT: Matt Mattei

570-881-0817
rmmattei1@geisinger.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                           

Applications open for Geisinger Hospital Elder Life Program

DANVILLE, Pa. – Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital, Geisinger Community Medical Center, Geisinger Medical Center and Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center are accepting volunteer applications for the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) — a unique opportunity to make a difference in the lives of older adults.

Traditionally designed for college students studying health care, HELP is now expanding to include adults (18+) with an interest in health care — including retired doctors, nurses or other healthcare professionals.

HELP volunteers receive specialized training to support patients age 65 and older through therapeutic activities, patient and family education, and mobilization and socialization. These interventions help prevent cognitive and functional decline during hospitalization.

Volunteers who meet requirements may qualify for:

• Leadership opportunities
• Physician and advanced practitioner shadowing opportunities
• A letter of reference for medical school or other healthcare programs

Get involved

Applications for the summer 2026 semester are open now. Those interested should apply online at [go.geisinger.org/elderlife]go.geisinger.org/elderlife. HELP runs year-round, with three application periods:

Summer semester

• Apply: February
• Orientation: Mid-May
• Service begins: May

Fall semester

• Apply: May
• Orientation: Early September
• Service begins: September

Spring semester

• Apply: September
• Orientation: Mid-December
• Service begins: December/January

For more information, call 570-808-6124 or email Deanna Dunning, program manager, at ddunning@geisinger.edu.

About Geisinger

Geisinger is among the nation’s leading providers of value-based care, serving 1.2 million people in urban and rural communities across central and northeastern Pennsylvania. Founded in 1915 by philanthropist Abigail Geisinger, the nonprofit system generates more than $8 billion in annual revenues across 163 care sites — including 10 hospital campuses — and Geisinger Health Plan, with more than half a million members in commercial and government plans. Geisinger College of Health Sciences educates more than 5,000 medical professionals annually and is conducting more than 1,400 clinical research studies. With more than 27,000 employees, including 1,800 employed physicians and 5,200 registered nurses, Geisinger is among Pennsylvania’s largest employers, having an estimated economic impact of $16.8 billion on the state’s economy. In 2024, Geisinger joined Risant Health, a nonprofit charitable organization created to expand and accelerate value-based care across the country. Learn more at geisinger.org or follow on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.