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Elderly Care Volunteer Program in Argentina - Cordoba

Elderly Care Volunteer Program in Argentina - Cordoba

Enjoy the company of older people and want to be an Elderly Care volunteer in Argentina - Córdoba? International Volunteer HQ’s Elderly Care project empowers volunteers to assist in community programs and nursing homes, gaining experience caring for older people. Volunteers will help improve quality of life for those elders who benefit from increased interaction, connection and care, while the local staff will appreciate the helping hand.

Highlights:
  • Programs start every Monday
  • Affordable fees from CA$507 for 1 week
  • Includes accommodation, breakfast and dinner, airport pick up, orientation and 24/7 support
  • Spend time with and care for elderly people

  • Enjoy Córdoba’s stunning natural beauty

  • Stay with a local family & other volunteers in a peaceful neighborhood

Key information

Provide companionship & care for the elderly
Based in community centers and nursing homes
Local homestay accommodation
Volunters aged 16+ and families
Fully hosted experience from CA$507 for 1 week
Durations from 1 - 24 weeks
Spanish language lessons available
Up to 5 hours volunteering

This program is ideal for:

Patient volunteers who are willing to connect with and take care of older people. As you’ll be volunteering alongside local staff, you don’t need to have any prior experience working with the elderly to take part in this project, but it is recommended that you are able to speak some Spanish.
Who is this program suited to?

What to expect and how you'll make an impact

Getting older can bring new and confronting challenges to people living in Argentina - Córdoba. They may face loneliness, a lack of resources or even being abandoned by their families or people who care for them. Local community centers and nursing homes provide safe places for elderly people to receive important care, connection and companionship.

As an Elderly Care volunteer, you will provide social interaction, encouragement, protection and assistance to older people during their scheduled activities, improving their quality of life.

Elderly Care volunteer work can include:

  • Helping with daily meals
  • Art and craft workshops
  • Singing and music
  • Yoga and exercise
  • Personal care like hairdressing and podiatry
  • Professional psychological assistance
  • Helping staff with medical care
Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #3: Good Health and Well-Being

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #3: Good Health and Well-Being

Good mental and physical health is key to sustainable development and building healthy and happy communities. Now more than ever, we must increase access to free healthcare and health education across the globe to achieve an acceptable standard of living and wellbeing for all.

Why do Elderly Care volunteering in Cordoba with IVHQ?

While volunteering on the Elderly Care project, you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:

  • Providing care and attention to elderly people
  • Practicing your Spanish
  • Developing your communication skills
  • Gaining elderly care experience
  • Immersing yourself fully in Argentinian culture
  • Exploring the beautiful region of Córdoba

Volunteer requirements

  • Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program
  • Volunteers aged 16 or 17 on their program start date are required to provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate on the program, and may be asked to provide additional document to the local team.
  • All volunteers aged 13+ are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ prior to departure. Those aged 13-17, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead
  • All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
Are you eligible to volunteer?

Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.

Apply For Free

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What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience

SD
Sophia Desai
16 Apr 2024

My confidence grew so much and I have become more aware of how volunteering, even if it is short-term, can have a big impact. If someone was hesitant, I would say that it is definitely worth it. I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would and if I could go back and spend more time there, I definitely would.

...
JD
Josh Doolan
09 Apr 2024

Just do it! I was hesitant and didn’t really know how it would go but so glad I did this. The volunteering work was incredibly rewarding and the ability to travel during downtime is even better. But for me the best part was how immersed in the culture you are living with an Argentinian family and working with locals and fellow volunteers. It’s an experience that can’t be matched!

...
LE
Lucia Eshleman
27 Feb 2024

I would say that if you're going to volunteer anywhere, this is absolutely the place to do it! Not only is the work you'll do so empowering and joyful, the family makes a world of difference. I have done two other IVHQ programs and this one was my favourite!! I loved living with a family, it makes the whole trip so much more special. I loved how real it felt and how we got to see so many different parts of Cordoba. I really can't put into words how much I loved Cordoba and this program. I am so glad I chose this and I will hold onto these memories forever!! 11/10!!!

...
LK
Lindsay Kilner
11 Dec 2023

I really enjoyed my stay in Cordoba with Nadi and Pedro. They treated me as if I were a member of their family and it really felt like a home away from home. I felt incredibly safe and well taken care of from the moment I arrived to my departure. It provided an amazing opportunity to learn about the local culture while still feeling at home! I am incredibly grateful for my time in Cordoba and of course to Pedro and Nadi. I really hope to have the opportunity to return to them one day.

...
HJ
Hector Jones
07 Dec 2023

I very much feel like my Spanish level increased a lot during the two weeks of volunteering. This alongside with making connections with people in Cordoba make me want to return at some point in the future for sure! I also started the volunteering experience wanting to know if being in a healthcare environment was what I wanted for my career. After having finished the elderly care program I do strongly think that this desire has been made concrete!

...
MP
Marisa Pfeiffer
17 Apr 2023

Just do it, you won’t regret it. It’ll change your life in the best possible way! I feel like I’ve completely changed as a person in a very positive way!

...

To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.

Academic course credit through International Volunteer HQ and Intern Abroad HQ.

Academic course credit

Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!

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Volunteer Abroad in Argentina, Córdoba with IVHQ

Location

In the middle of Argentina, IVHQ’s Córdoba projects are set against the breathtaking backdrop of rolling hills and valleys which surround the city. Córdoba is home to Argentina’s second largest university and hundreds of thousands of students who give it a lively, modern flavour. You’ll find great markets, picturesque parks, pumping nightlife and masses of museums, cathedrals and cultural icons just waiting to be discovered.

Arrival and orientation

After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at the Ambrosio Taravella International Airport (COR) in Córdoba. Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee. We recommend that volunteers under the age of 18 travel internationally with a notarized letter of consent from their parents to support their documentation.

When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and taken to the volunteer accommodation in Córdoba. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.

If you are traveling in Argentina prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up in Córdoba on the day before your program orientation. Orientation is hosted by our Córdoba team and begins on the morning of your chosen start date. It covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Córdoba – an introduction to Argentina, culture and customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities, and an introduction to project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.

Volunteer schedule example

First Day

On your first day of volunteering, you will be escorted to your placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff you will be working with.

Weekdays

Volunteers will have a morning or afternoon shift, which will last around 2 to 5 hours. A typical morning schedule is as follows:

7:30 AM Breakfast at the volunteer accommodation.
8:00 AM Volunteers travel to their placements to join local placement staff. Start time and daily workload depends on the project that the individual volunteer is participating on.
1:00 PM Work at the placement usually ends. Volunteers are free to travel back to the volunteer accommodation, go sightseeing, or do some shopping. If volunteers are taking Spanish language lessons, they will usually do this in the afternoon (or in the morning if they are volunteering in the afternoon).
8:00 PM Dinner at the volunteer accommodation.

Weekends

Maybe the rhythm of Córdoba’s famous cuarteto music will call to your feet, maybe you’ll forage for a flea market bargain, take a trip to the Che Guevara Museum, adventure in the mountains, try Argentina’s beloved Fernet and Coke or spend your time discovering the Jesuit Block. Maybe you’ll do it all and more, or just relax in a peaceful park and sip a coffee. In any case there’s no shortage of things to see and do during your free time in Córdoba. But if it’s time for a change of scene, Córdoba’s central location means it’s easy to hop on a plane or jump in a car or bus and visit Argentina’s buzzy capital, Buenos Aires, or pay a visit to the Mendoza wine region or the city of Rosario. If the outdoors are your thing, there’s plenty of trekking, mountain climbing, horseback riding, paragliding, and abseiling fun to be had in the Córdoba region and nearby.

Accommodation and WiFi

Volunteers are accommodated in a family homestay in Barrio El Refugio, a peaceful neighborhood, 15 - 20 minutes drive from Córdoba airport, and 30 minutes drive to the city center. Your hostess is also your coordinator so our local team will be very easy to approach and always available in case you need anything.

This two-story homestay has great facilities for volunteers, including a barbecue area and a swimming pool which is available in the summer. Bedrooms have single beds and bunk beds and you can expect to share a bedroom with one to three other volunteers of the same gender. Bathrooms with hot showers and western toilets are shared between no more than three other volunteers, and bedding and towels are provided.

A private room (without a private bathroom) can also be requested at an additional cost of US$70 (approximately CA$101) per week for a single room or US$105 (approximately CA$152) per week for a double room. This needs to be paid to our local team in Córdoba and needs to be arranged prior to arrival.

WiFi is available for volunteers to use at the homestay. You can also purchase a local SIM card with data for an unlocked mobile phone to keep connected.

Meals

Breakfast and dinner are served every weekday at the volunteer accommodation. On the weekend you will only be provided with breakfast, however, you will be provided with supplies so that you can prepare your own dinner.

If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know ahead of time so that we can make arrangements for you. Remember that you should be flexible and open to trying new foods and we will do our best to see that you are well taken care of.

Pricing

  • USD
Duration
Program Fee
Due 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
  • USD
1 week CA$507 Equivalent to CA$72/day
2 weeks CA$818 Equivalent to CA$58/day
3 weeks CA$1086 Equivalent to CA$52/day
4 weeks CA$1354 Equivalent to CA$48/day
5 weeks CA$1622 Equivalent to CA$46/day
6 weeks CA$1883 Equivalent to CA$45/day
8 weeks CA$2390 Equivalent to CA$43/day
10 weeks CA$2882 Equivalent to CA$41/day
12 weeks CA$3317 Equivalent to CA$39/day
16 weeks CA$4186 Equivalent to CA$37/day
20 weeks CA$5055 Equivalent to CA$36/day
24 weeks CA$5866 Equivalent to CA$35/day
  • Accommodation
  • Breakfast and dinner
  • 24/7 in-country support
  • In-country program orientation
  • Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
  • Airport pick-up
  • Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
  • Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
  • Discounts on language lessons
  • Discounts on travel and tour add-ons
  • Certificate of International Volunteer Service

Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.

  • All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately CA$476) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services. IVHQ fees are priced in USD but you may elect to pay in CAD.
  • A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
  • Additional things to budget for include: Visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check, lunch, public transport to and from your placement each day and return to the airport when your program finishes.
  • Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Cordoba generally find US$50 to be sufficient for weekly expenses, including in-country tours and optional Spanish lessons.

Free-time experiences & tours in Argentina

Take your volunteer experience to the next level with IVHQ's affordable activity and tour add-ons in Argentina! Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Argentina program.

BBQ Night
BBQ Night

Experience an authentic home-made Argentinian BBQ with plenty of meat and vegetables.

CA$43
Buenos Aires Overnight Tour
Buenos Aires Overnight Tour

Experience a 2-day round trip tour to Buenos Aires.

CA$225
Cordoba Mountain Tour (Full Day)
Cordoba Mountain Tour (Full Day)

Enjoy a captivating 10 hour guided tour to any of the six different valleys and towns that you have to choose from.

CA$78
BBQ Night
BBQ Night

Experience an authentic home-made Argentinian BBQ with plenty of meat and vegetables.

CA$43
Iguazu Falls Trip
Iguazu Falls Trip

Embark on a captivating three-day journey to witness the largest waterfall system in the world.

CA$1303
Private Virtual Spanish Language Lessons
Private Virtual Spanish Language Lessons

Improve your Spanish skills before volunteering abroad on the Buenos Aires program with our interactive one-to-one online language lessons.

From CA$188
Buenos Aires Overnight Tour
Buenos Aires Overnight Tour

Experience a 2-day round trip tour to Buenos Aires.

CA$225
Cordoba Mountain Tour (Full Day)
Cordoba Mountain Tour (Full Day)

Enjoy a captivating 10 hour guided tour to any of the six different valleys and towns that you have to choose from.

CA$78
Cordoba Mountain Tour (Half Day)
Cordoba Mountain Tour (Half Day)

Enjoy a 4 hour guided tour to any of the six different valleys and towns that you have to choose from.

CA$52

Spanish language lessons

Fluency in Spanish is not a prerequisite for the IVHQ Argentina - Córdoba program, however on certain projects volunteer work will be restricted with limited language ability. IVHQ, therefore, strongly recommends that volunteers take advantage of the very affordable language lessons offered exclusively to IVHQ volunteers. Past volunteers feel that taking these lessons help immensely with day-to-day volunteer work and communicating with local people. Taught by professional Spanish teachers and tailored to each person’s specific needs, the classes run for one hour a day, Monday through Friday. The lessons are arranged with your IVHQ Program Manager prior to departure.

  • 1 hour, private lessons (5 hours per week): CA$112 per week

Check what's required to visit Argentina

Safety and support with IVHQ

Safety and support

IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.

  • All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
  • All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
  • All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
  • All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Learn more about IVHQ's safety

Essential country information

Capital Buenos Aires
Population 45.1 million
Languages Spanish
Currency Argentine Peso
Time zone UTC-03:00

Weather and climate

Like its topography, Argentina’s climate varies greatly. The climate ranges from subtropical in the north, to humid in the central regions, to sub-Antarctic in the south. Winter, from June to August, is the driest period of the year. The coldest months are June and July and the warmest month is January. Average annual temperatures in Buenos Aires range from 51°F to 83°F (11°C to 28°C).

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How to get started

Pick a destination + project and apply for free
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Pay the Registration Fee to secure your place and upgrade your MyIVHQ account
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