Volunteer - Ottawa, ON, Canada - Volunteer Centre of Calgary

Description

Please apply here:
play a crucial role in both companionship and helping people age in the place of their choice.

Research has been able to link social isolation and loneliness to be as lethal as smoking 15 cigarettes a day (Tiwari, At the same time, nearly 100% of Canadians, including people living with dementia wish to remain living at home as they age (Pandemic Perspectives on Aging in Canada in Light of COVID-19: Findings from a National Institute on Aging/Telus Health National Survey).

The Make a Connection program provide volunteers with opportunities to build companionship with people living with dementia and help to facilitate safe aging in place.

Visits are mostly conducted in-person, but can be also over the phone.

As a volunteer, you will receive training and guidance to prepare for this important role and are matched with a client based on aligning schedule, language, and, where necessary, accessibility or proximity to one another.

Visits are typically 20 minutes to 1 hour on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, depending on the client's preference and capabilities.

The activities that make up these visits can vary from conversation, listening to music, reading aloud, sharing photos, or going for a walk, to helping a person living with dementia to learn how to use technology for reminders or wayfinding.

Depending on the volunteer's skills and availabilities, you may be occasionally requested to assist with simple household repair tasks or provide technological fit-up for the people living with dementia in their area.

Communicate with supervisor to provide updates on clients, forward questions, and offer feedbackPrepare and conduct visitsCoordinate and prepare any particular items needed for your visit (photos, music, videos, a list of the client's interest, etc.

Provide troubleshooting support to those experiencing technical difficultyEngage with participants and maintain enthusiasm, compassion, and patienceQualifications and Skills:
Professionalism and a positive disposition with excellent interpersonal skillsCompassion, understanding and awareness of dementiaA valid (within last 6 months) Vulnerable Sector Check is required, which we will help facilitateReliability – able to honour scheduled commitmentsDiscretion – must maintain confidentiality of all participantsBilingualism an asset
#