Partners in Caring – a Volunteer Effort to Assist Older Adults

1. Virginia S. Clark Division Director, Employment and Volunteerism Lifespan of Greater Rochester Rochester, New York November, 2008 Partners in Caring –a Volunteer Effort to Assist Older Adults

2. Overview of PIC • Volunteer based non-medical caregiving to older adults and disabled individuals • Free of charge to the care receiver • Oversight by Care Coordinator/LPN for safety and referral to other services • Matches between care givers and care receivers based on interest, needs, geography • Neighbor to neighbor

3. Types of Care Given • Shopping and errands • Light housekeeping • Reading out loud • Yard work • Meal preparation • Friendship! Non- medical services

4. Where Did PIC Come From? • Faith In Action originally founded 1983 by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation as the ideal of community volunteerism • Started locally in 2003 by a community group in Honeoye Falls, New York. • Moved to Lifespan in 2005 • Administered and funded now through Lifespan

5. Staff • Case Manager/LPN • Program/Volunteer Coordinator • Director

6. Partners • Faith communities in Rochester area • Community organizations

7. Volunteers • All ages, average middle aged • Youngest 38, oldest 75 • Male 15%, female 85% • Live in the area in which they want to serve • Have a respect for older adults

8. Volunteer Training • Usual paperwork, background check, application, privacy and confidentiality notices • 3 reference checks • Possible scenarios, aging process, dementia, disabilities, hands on care • How to deal with emergencies

9. Care Receivers • Males 15%, females 85% • Age range, 42 - 91 • Mostly frail elders, some disabled • Primarily live alone in their own homes • Are fiercely independent and want to remain so • Are referred primarily by friends, family

10. Process • Receive referral • Home visit & intake Determination of needs • Search for volunteer • Match with volunteer • Home visit with volunteer • Continuous follow through and contact

11. Referral • Via phone call Health organizations, 20% Social Services, 20% Friends, family, self, 50% Other, 10% • Conversation with care receiver • Usual demographic information • Reason for concern/referral What is the expectation of performance by the volunteer?

12. Intake • In person • Program is explained • Paper work signed, permissions granted • Discussion of needs and expectations, what we can and cannot do • Explain waitlist, if necessary • Explain how to contact case manager if needed

13. Partners in Caring Faith in Action Client Agreement Partners in Caring Faith in Action, a program of Lifespan provides non-medical volunteer caregiving to frail older adults and disabled individuals to help them maintain their dignity and remain independent in their homes. We have volunteers from local congregations and from the local community who will provide support to you and your caregivers. Our volunteers are individuals you can trust, you can spend time with, and who can listen when you need it. If you want to talk about things spiritual, you will have willing listeners who will show you respect. If you do not want to talk about spiritual issues, no one will force you or put pressure on you to share. You will be provided services that you request, given what the program is able to offer, and based on volunteer time, availability and skills. Our volunteers: Are not required to provide additional services Cannot loan or give you any money, or pay your bills Cannot dispense medicine, change bandages or clean wounds, or give other hands-on care Our volunteers have participated in formal training where they have been given basic information about illnesses that our care receivers may be living with and they have learned how to set limits and boundaries. They will not share your name or any information about you with people not involved with your care without your written permission. The best way to contact your volunteer(s) is through the program staff. Call the Partners in Caring Faith in Action office at 244-8400 extension 177 or 135. We will also be calling you on occasion to see how you are doing. I understand Partners in Caring Faith in Action is a volunteer organization and while all reasonable efforts will be made to meet my request, services are not guaranteed. I understand that the program is donation-based, but that I will not be denied services if I choose not to donate. There will be no payment requested or expected when services are provided. I understand that I am free to stop participating in the program at any time. I will make every effort to communicate my needs to Partners in Caring Faith in Action. I understand that all information provided by me is kept strictly confidential. I authorize the Partners in Caring Faith in Action to share information between staff and volunteers of the program about my health status, history and current needs so they can best serve me. I agree to hold harmless Partners in Caring Faith in Action, its employees, agents and volunteers for any losses or damages incurred by me unless such losses or damages were the result of intentional or will full misconduct. I have read the client agreement and understand its contents.

14. Search for Volunteer • Knowledge of volunteers’ availability Time, task, geographic, other • Comes with time and experience • Phone call to potential volunteers to see if they are interested • Explain any extenuating circumstances related to care receiver’s situation

15. Match with Volunteer • Verbal agreement by volunteer • Set up day/time for mutual visit, with Case Manager • Case Manager acts as co-between for now

16. Home Visit • Case Manager, Care Receiver, and Volunteer all meet to get acquainted • Case Manager assesses comfort level of both parties • Both parties agree to the needed activities • Explain the role of the Case Manager • Set up a time for next visit (Care Receiver and Volunteer only)

17. Follow Through • Very important task • Continue to monitor partnership • Remain in contact with Care Receiver to evaluate any changes in needs • Respond to those needs with volunteer if appropriate

18. Referrals ElsewhereWhen care needed is beyond the comfort level of the volunteer • Assess the situation with volunteer, Care Receiver, family members, physician (with proper permissions) • Refer to partner and non-partner agencies • Knowledge of local elder services most important.

19. Strengths of PIC • Case Manager • Knowledge and use of local elder care services • Sponsorship by Lifespan • Community based program • Neighbor to neighbor

20. Challenges for PIC • Recruitment of volunteers • Recruitment of volunteers • Recruitment of volunteers • Retention and satisfaction of volunteers • Funding

21. Summary • Keep it local • Understand local elder services environment • Protect volunteers and care receivers • Follow through with care receivers and volunteers • Ask questions