Friendly Visiting Volunteer

Title: Friendly Visiting Volunteer
Location: Throughout the Niagara Region
Assigned Supervisor: Family Support Counsellor, Coordinator of Volunteer Programs

Friendly Visiting volunteers are those who are willing to share their time to make a difference in the life of an individual who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia.  Volunteers visit our clients once per week in the client’s home.  The volunteer will engage the client in a meaningful activity during their visit.  There are many acceptable activities including: walking, reading, playing cards or some other mutually agreed upon activity that is important to the client. In addition to providing companionship to our client, this program also provides relief for the caregiver.

• Visit the client regularly, on a mutually agreeable time and day.
• Call client ahead of time if for any reason a visit time needs to be postponed or rescheduled.
• Inform assigned supervisor as to any changes in the client’s or volunteer’s situation, which would affect the visiting; this includes address changes, holidays, illness, etc.
• Report any observations, comments or concerns regarding the client or the match to the assigned supervisor.
• Volunteers are visitors and as such will limit their duties to socialization and companionship activities only.
• Report volunteer hours, either through our online form or by direct email to the Coordinator of Volunteer Programs.

The Friendly Visiting Volunteer will not:

• Influence the person with dementia/caregiver or family members with his/her own personal views, beliefs or attitudes.
• Break confidentiality with anyone other than Alzheimer Society staff, when necessary.
• Perform personal care duties or be responsible for the care of a client.
• Provide private, one-on-one counselling.

The Alzheimer Society will:

• Provide all required orientation and training.
• Provide on-going support to Friendly Visiting volunteers.
• Hold periodic support meetings for all volunteers.
• Provide a safety check of the client’s home.
• Provide an emergency contact list for client.

• Ability to work with our clients, their families and ASNR staff.
• Warm and caring personality.
• Reliable and flexible.
• Ability to communicate with others on a one-to-one basis in an understanding, caring and sensitive manner.
• Ability to listen objectively and be tolerant of others’ cultural, religious or lifestyle beliefs and attitudes.
• Interest in other people and what is important to them.
• Interest in working with older adults.
• Experience working with persons with dementia and their care partners is an asset.

• Orientation to agency, ASNR programs, policies and procedures
• Completion of Volunteer Training Program

• Completion of two reference checks
• Vulnerable Sector Police Clearance