Importance of Position: Performs a vital role in supporting older adults’ desire to remain independent by providing guidance and support to living a more active lifestyle.
Benefits of Volunteering: The personal satisfaction of providing a much-needed service to those wanting to remain independent. Also, studies have shown volunteering improves overall health and well-being!
Qualifications:
- Enjoys and values conversations with older adults.
- Ability to speak cheerfully and positively about health, wellness, and to be an encouragement to the older adult.
- Ability to speak clearly, patiently, and at times, slowly.
- Excellent listening skills.
- Ability to conduct oneself in a professional, cooperative manner with participants, their families, and caregivers.
Responsibilities:
- Follow-up with participant through scheduled follow-up telephone calls 1-2 times per month over 6 months.
- Treating participant with kindness, consideration, and respect at all times.
- Ask open-ended questions. Recognize possible health problems by listening carefully to complaints and reporting concerns.
- Comply with the Confidentiality Agreement, maintaining the bond of trust we have with our participants.
- Give program coordinator sufficient notice if you are unable to keep your commitment.
- Complete paperwork necessary for tracking participant’s progress and return to program coordinator after each call.
Training Provided:
- Orientation provided by staff before being paired with participant.
Requirements:
- Volunteer application
- Background check
- 18+
Time Commitment: 1-2 30-minute follow-up calls per month.
Length of Commitment: Six months
Grounds for Termination: Failure to carry out assigned responsibilities. Breach of confidentiality.
