Tele-Care Friendly Visiting Volunteer

Title: Tele-Care Friendly Visiting Volunteer
Location: Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region office
Assigned Supervisor: Coordinator of Volunteer Programs

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Orientation to agency, ASNR programs, policies and procedures
• Completion of Volunteer Training Program
• Completion of Tele-Care Training Program, including database training

• Completion of two reference checks
• Vulnerable Sector Police Clearance

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.