Tele-Care Volunteer
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.
This opportunity is currently available! Click here to fill out our online volunteer application.
To view and download the full role description, please click here.
Role Description
Title: Tele-Care Volunteer
Location: Remote/Virtual
Assigned Supervisor: Coordinator of Volunteer Programs
Time Commitment: One call per week for approximately 1 hour - minimum 6-month term
Role Summary
Tele-Care volunteers make calls at regular intervals to Alzheimer Society Niagara Region matched clients and/or caregivers to offer them support and an opportunity to connect with the Alzheimer Society Niagara Region. This connection helps people cope more effectively in living well with dementia as well as reducing isolation and increasing independence.
Click here to learn more about the Tele-Care Program.
Primary Responsibilities
- Make outreach calls to individuals who have been diagnosed with a dementia and/or care partners under the direction of the Coordinator of Volunteer Programs
- Clearly identify yourself as a volunteer and describe the purpose of the call
- Provide support, socialization, and validation to aid in decreased feelings of isolation and depression and increased independence
- Record 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
Qualifications
- Have a sincere interest in working with adults or seniors with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's or dementia, or their care partners
- Skilled at initiating conversations and engaging clients in social conversations
- Be able to communicate with others on a one-to-one basis in an understanding, caring and sensitive and supportive manner
- Excellent communication and active listening skills
- Have a warm and caring personality
- Ability to listen objectively and be tolerant of others’ cultural, religious or lifestyle beliefs and attitudes
- Enjoys interacting with people and is comfortable reaching out to others
- Efficient, articulate, and fluent in the English language
- Experience working with older adults or willingness to learn
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of information
- Excellent telephone skills and comfortable using technology
- Punctual and dependable
Boundaries
- Will not share personal stories and/or experiences but validate client's stories and experiences
- Must not provide medication prompts
- Must not provide clients with any type of medical advice
- Must not accept private work and/or gifts from a client, including money
- Will not influence the person or family member(s) with your own personal views, beliefs or attributes
- Do not give the client or care partner your personal contact information, or that of anyone else
- Break confidence with anyone outside of the ASNR staff
- Provide private, one-on-one counselling
Screening Requirements
- Complete an application
- Attend a One-to-one interview
- Provide two References
- Obtain a complete and clear Police Vulnerable Sector Check
- Must be 18+ years of age
Training Requirements
- Orientation to agency, ASNR programs, policies, and procedures
- Online ALZEducate Modules, AODA and WHMIS training
- Completion of Volunteer Workshop
- Review of Tele-Care Guide
Benefits
Volunteer
- Completion and certificates of training programs
- Support a cause that you believe in
- Develop new and transferable skills
- Learn new skills and discover new talents
- Use your professional skills in a new setting
- Meet other people who share your interests and passions
- Reference available upon request
- Annual Volunteer appreciation events and acknowledgement of service
Society
- Help make life better for those living with dementia
- Improve the quality of life for persons living with dementia, and care partners
Community
- Encourage community connections
- Help improve the quality of community life
- Work to alleviate the personal and social consequences of Alzheimer disease and related dementia
Challenges
- Volunteering independently one to one remotely
- Reliable access to private space to conduct call
- Completing Police Vulnerable Sector Clearance
Evaluation
The Coordinator of Volunteer Programs will be responsible for providing feedback to the volunteers in such a way that will allow the volunteer to grow and learn as part of their role. Once per year, volunteers who volunteer in this role in an ongoing capacity or in service for more than 1 year will partake in an annual review with the Coordinator of Volunteer Programs. If a volunteer with less than 1-year requests annual review one will be provided.
Success
The Society acknowledges the contributions of volunteers using methods of recognition that are meaningful and respectful of cultural differences and are committed to continuous quality improvement, which can be best achieved by encouraging feedback.
Recognizing the hard work and dedication of volunteers is very important to the Society.
Volunteers will receive ongoing support and regular recognition in various ways.
Risk Assessment
A Risk Assessment of this role has been completed. In keeping with our Risk Management Framework every effort has been made to ensure the safety of the volunteer, client, care partners and staff during the engagement of this role.