Senior Support Volunteer

Through this program, trained volunteers who have a special interest in working with seniors offer ongoing support to older adults who are clients of the Seniors Mental Health program. The objective is to assist in maintaining the optimal level of independence for clients. This is done through individual contact and/or group work with clients that are socially isolated and may be experiencing the early stages of dementia or depression. Clients are referred by Case Managers of the Seniors Mental Health Program at Interior Health.

One-to-One Client Work

Senior Support Volunteers provide emotional support and socialization for individual clients. They are another set of “trusted eyes and ears” for the Case Manager. Activities that the volunteer may do with an individual client include:

• Weekly visits at the client’s home
• Being an empathetic, active listener
• Accompanying and/or driving the client to and from appointments or errands
• Accompanying clients to special social/cultural events
• Volunteers do not do any personal care, housekeeping, giving of medications nor do they deal with any legal, financial or property issues.

Group Work

Coffee/Craft Group – “Busy Bees”

This is a weekly socialization group for clients – Tuesdays from 1:30 – 3:30 pm.
Three staff members take a leadership role in organizing and running the group.

Volunteers’ roles in this group include:

• Transportation of clients to and from the group
• Reminder phone calls to clients
• Assisting staff with snack/crafts
• Socializing with clients

Wellness Group

This is an educational group for clients who have experienced depression and are learning strategies for their wellness. The group runs for 10 weeks (1 session/week) from 4 – 6pm and is held twice a year (fall and spring). The first hour of the group is an educational presentation by Case Managers from Seniors Mental Health. During this part of the session the clients learn strategies to maintain their wellness. During the second hour the group members, volunteers and case managers share a supper together.

Volunteers’ roles in this group include:

• Menu Planning/Grocery shopping
• Cooking the Meal (during the 1st hour while clients are in the educational session)
• Socializing with the clients during the meal
• Cleaning up
• Transporting clients to the group and back home after the group

Training

Volunteers in our Senior Support Volunteer Program attend a comprehensive training program provided by the Family Resource Centre Society for the North Okanagan. Training takes place in May this year and covers topics such as:

• Helping Relationships
• Empathic Listening and Responding
• Communication Skills
• Dementia
• Depression
• Grief & Loss
• Safe-Mobilization
• Boundaries

Upon successful completion of the training, Senior Support Volunteers are asked to contribute 100 volunteer hours to the program. You will receive support through monthly meetings that include education and collaboration with the Seniors Mental Health Team. In addition, the Coordinator of Volunteer Services will always be available for follow-up, supervision and ongoing support.

Applications

If you are interested in utilizing your valuable life experiences and would appreciate the opportunity to make a real difference in the life of a senior, download our application document below and return it to our office as soon as possible. Applications are also available at the front desk of the Family Resource Centre. You will be contacted for an interview upon review and receipt of your application.