Friendly Visiting Program Volunteer

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Friendly Visiting is a program that matches homebound seniors within our Case Management Program with volunteers who make regular visits in seniors’ homes. The Friendly Visiting Program helps relieve social isolation and loneliness experienced by many seniors and provides ongoing companionship for both the senior and volunteer. The Friendly Visitor Volunteer Coordinator and Case Manager within the Case Management Program work closely together to identify seniors that may benefit from a Friendly Visitor Volunteer.

The volunteer will engage the senior in stimulating activities such as puzzles, reading books together, listen to music, crocheting, arts, visit a park and other types of invigorating and engaging activities that improves the social health of an isolated older adult. The goal is to help reduce isolation and provide companionship.

When:

Volunteers are recruited all year round.

Where:

Volunteers & Older Adults decide between home visits, phone calls, and /or virtual calls

Qualifications:

To maintain the safety of our senior clients, all interested Volunteers must meet stringent requirements to be a Friendly Visitor Volunteer that includes:

• An initial screening process -telephone interview,
• Submission of volunteer application,
• Criminal background check
• Two Reference Checks
• Volunteer Commitment Agreement
• Onboarding Training Virtual or In Person
• On-going Training & Retention Workshops
• Bi-monthly check-ins with the Volunteer Service Manager

Benefits:

Friendly visiting programs are important to help relieve the social isolation experienced by many older adults. Friendly visiting is also an enriching experience for volunteers. Many relationships are sustained over a number of years and can provide ongoing companionship for both older adult and volunteers. The program provides:

• a mutually rewarding relationship with an older adult
• a chance to hone interpersonal skills like listening, sharing, expressing compassion, and empathy;
• new experiences and new interests;
• a concrete knowledge of culture and history;
• increased sensitivity to the needs of seniors; and
• a better attitude toward their own aging relatives as they gain a realistic perspective of both the needs and strengths of older adults.