Position Description
Title: Tele-Care Friendly Visiting Volunteer
Location: Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region office
Assigned Supervisor: Coordinator of Volunteer Programs
Job Summary
The Tele-Care Program receives referrals from ASNR Family Support Counsellors for clients and/or caregivers. These individuals must be able to communicate by phone. Tele-Care volunteers make calls at regular intervals to Tele-Care clients to offer them support and an opportunity to be connected with information and education being offered at their local Alzheimer Society and/or in their community. The purpose behind connecting people with resources is to assist them with coping more effectively in living well with dementia as well as reducing isolation and increasing independence.
Responsibilities
- Under the direction of the Coordinator, make outreach calls to individuals who have been diagnosed with a dementia and/or care partners.
- Clearly identify yourself as a volunteer and describe the purpose of the call as outlined in the call script.
- Provide support, socialization and validation to aid in decreased feelings of isolation and depression and increased independence.
- Record in database all contacts and contact attempts with Tele-Care clients in accordance with documentation standards.
- Notify the Coordinator should any situation(s) arise that are of a clinical nature and reassure the person with dementia/care partner that a Counsellor will contact them in a timely manner.
- Notify the Coordinator if unable to keep scheduled “shift” at least 24 hours in advance.
The Tele-Care 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.
- Provide private, one-on-one counselling outside the office.
- Share neither his/her personal phone number nor email with any person with dementia/caregiver or family member.
- Share personal stories and/or experiences.
The Alzheimer Society will:
- Provide appropriate space and resources to complete phone calls and documentation.
- Provide all required orientation and training.
- Provide on-going support to Tele-Care volunteers.
- Prepare materials/information outlines for the volunteers’ use.
- Hold periodic debriefing meetings for all Tele-Care volunteers.
- In collaboration with volunteers, ensure that a mechanism for ongoing evaluation of the role is in place.
Required Skills/Experience
- Enjoys interacting with people and is comfortable reaching out to others.
- Ability to “listen” and be supportive.
- Fluent, efficient and articulate in the English language.
- Experience working with older adults would be an asset.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of information.
- Excellent telephone skills.
- Punctual and dependable.
- Diplomatic and empathetic.
- Comfortable using computers.
Training Requirements
- Orientation to agency, ASNR programs, policies and procedures
- Completion of Volunteer Training Program
- Completion of Tele-Care Training Program, including database training
Other Requirements
- Completion of two reference checks
- Vulnerable Sector Police Clearance
Time Commitment
Time commitment will be during regular office hours. We are asking for a minimum 6 month commitment due to the intensive training of this role.