Volunteer Opportunity Details:

Empathetic and caring volunteers are needed to visit with our elderly patients and engage them in therapeutic activites, assist and encourage them at meal time, motivate them to exercise or walk, and provide them with an assistive hearing device or magnifier (if necessary). Volunteers are part of the geriatric team and make a significant difference in preventing confusion and physical decline of older adults in the hospital. Volunteers provide calming relief from the quick-paced hospital environment. Volunteers sit down with the patients and often have fun hearing their life stories. Each volunteer uses his/her own creativity to allow patients to have a few moments relief from pain or the effects of their illness.

Interested volunteers must become Maine Medical Center volunteers. HELP volunteers must participate in specific Hospital Elder Life Program training classes. They must be at least 15 years of age and must be willing to assume responsibility beyond just sitting and talking with the patients. All volunteers must be very reliable, self-motivated, and committed to the program. They must be able to walk to various units in the hospital. HELP volunteers shadow seasoned volunteers and must pass a competency evaluation by the Elder Life Specialist. Once trained, all HELP volunteers will be assigned one, 3-hour shift each week and will see 5-8 patients. Shifts include visits, discussion of current events, assistance with meals and walks or exercises, and teaching relaxation. Volunteers will also offer the patients independent, therapeutic activities to keep them alert and positive. Volunteers are expected to continue in the assigned shift for a minimum of six months. Our current volunteers have found their experiences extremely enriching.

Friendly Visitor volunteers must also become Maine Medical Center volunteers. Their training is simpler, and is a stepping stone to eventually becoming a HELP volunteer if desired. Friendly Visitor volunteers may choose to come two or three times a week for shorter shifts to see one-three patients or do one 3 hour shift per week. A minimum of six months participation is required. Junior volunteers between 14 and 18, college students and young and old adults are eligible. Volunteers who have a talent in art or music are encouraged to share their talents.

NOTE: All volunteers are required to do thorough documentation of their assignments.

This opportunity is sponsored by: Maine Medical Center - ME - Hospital Elder Life Program

We need volunteers who are free at these times Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Morning X X X X X X X Afternoon X X X X X X X Evening X X X X X X X Afternoons Mornings This volunteer opportunity is available to the following types of volunteers Adults (26-54) Service Learning Adults (55+) Unpaid Interns Individual Young Adults (18-25)

Contact Person: Cara Chasse, CTRS, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email) View all agency contacts

Address:

Hospital Elder Life Program, Geriatrics Division, 22 Bramhall St Portland, ME 04102 (See a map)

Directions:

Exit 5 off 295, to Congress St. Take a right onto Bramhall St. Parking for guests is on Chadwick St which is the left hand fork when you see the main entrance to the hospital. Enter at the main entrance with the revolving door. Seek help at the Information Desk. For maps or information, please see http://www.portlandmaine.worldweb.com/Transportation/PublicTransit

Details where opportunity can also be performed

This opportunity can also be performed in these locations:

Nationwide:

Available throughout all of the US

Miscellaneous Information

Average number of hours per volunteer that are required weekly to do this task.
	3
We need the following number of people to fill this position.
	20

Miscellaneous Information

Can this be done off site via computer (Virtual Volunteering)?
	No
May this opportunity be done by a court mandated volunteer?
	No
Volunteers with special needs may apply for this opportunity
	unable to accomodate
This is appropriate for a young volunteer
	Ages 15 - 18
May a family with young children do this?
	No
Is this a group opportunity for a National or Local Service Day?
	This is NOT a service day opportunity

Last updated on May 15, 2009