How to Find the Best Volunteer

Transcription

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2 Table of Contents Introduction How to Begin The First Call Building your Relationship.. 9 About us

3 Introduction How to Find the Best Volunteer You have made the right choice by deciding to have a volunteer help you around the house. Right now, you may be asking yourself what they will be doing or if it will be awkward at first. These are normal questions to be asking and the responses vary depending on the situation. Some volunteers only choose to provide cleaning services, while others are willing to help you with a wide variety of services. It may take several unsuccessful attempts to contact a volunteer. Eventually, our elders do find help if they remain persistent. If you believe that you are incapable of contacting volunteers, please chase@healthyyears.org and we will help you find one. When you first get into contact with the volunteer, how you ask for help may set the foundation to your relationship. If you are kind and respectful, you are more likely to get a better response. Most importantly, don t be afraid to be yourself or to ask for help! The volunteer has already created an entire biography because they wanted to help you so much. In this guide, we will help you to find and contact the volunteer that is best for you. How to Begin 3

4 You have probably already subscribed obtained your password if you are reading this guide, so we will show you where to begin and find the best volunteer for you. Step 1: Start by going to the search options so that you can target volunteers. Step 2: fill in the information by providing your zip code or the city you live in. If you live in a country outside of the United States, select another one from the list. The search engine automatically finds volunteers within 10 miles of your location. To change this option, select another distance from the zip code that you have provided. Unless you can provide travel arrangements for the elder, it is encouraged that you first search 4

5 for volunteers at a closer distance. When you are finished entering in the information, press the Find Helpers! button. Step 3: If there are volunteers available in your area, they will become listed in the format below. A picture of them if one is available will be to the left of the volunteer s name. To the right of it is the city they live in. The bright icons show the activities the volunteers want to help you with. Search the volunteers list to find the activities you want help or assistance with. John Greenwood wants to help you with shopping, transportation, reading or writing and cleaning. Step 4: Once you have found a volunteer that you are interested in contacting, click their name in the blue letters. 5

6 Step 5: Once you click the name, you will be directed to the volunteer s personal biography. Here, the volunteer will have their personal information displayed. You can read the small biography the volunteer has posted under their name to understand more about them. Step 6: If you would like this volunteer to begin helping you, you will see their contact information displayed next to their profile. Since you have already subscribed to the Elder Helpers program, log in to see the entire phone number and call the volunteer. 6

7 The First Call It is important to remember that you may need to have contact with several volunteers before the right one has been found. The members who do not get discouraged, eventually find a dedicated volunteers willing to help them and those that give up do not find help. We believe that you will be persistent when contacting volunteers, because we have seen the amazing results of our volunteers being connected with elders. If you believe that you are incapable of contacting volunteers, please contact chase@healthyyears.org and we will find one for you. Once you are ready to call the volunteer for the first time, you may be a little nervous or start thinking that it might not be right for you. These are normal feelings, but the reward of having a volunteer will be well overcoming them. Sometimes the volunteer may not pick up or you might get their voice mailbox. If this happens, do not become discouraged and continue your search for the best volunteer. If you do get in contact with the volunteer, here is a sample dialogue to follow: 7

8 Volunteer: Hello? You: Hello, I was using the Elder Helpers website and saw that you want to volunteer for the elderly, am this correct? Volunteer: Yes. You: I am an elder who would like some assistance for the activities you are willing to help with and live in your area, would you like to meet and talk about this more in person? Volunteer: I am pretty busy this week You: Well, what would be a good time for you? Volunteer: How about Thursday at six o clock? You: That will be great; let s meet at the [public place] Thursday at six o clock then [volunteer s name]! I look forward to meeting you. Volunteer: me to! Do not become discouraged if the volunteer does not respond the same way as they do in this dialogue. The volunteer is probably nervous to, which helps them to understand the same emotions that you are feeling. We encourage you to meet the volunteer in a public place the first time to ensure your safety and to help them find the location better. 8

9 If you call the volunteer and get their voice mailbox, here is what you could say: You: Hello, my name is [your name]. I found your profile on Elder Helpers to volunteer for the elderly. I would like to speak with you about the help you are offering and would appreciate if you would call be back at the following phone number, [your phone number]. I can t wait to speak with you [volunteer s name] and really appreciate your willingness to help! It is that easy! Once you have scheduled a date and time to meet the volunteer, you can discuss with them about the activities they are willing to help with and get to know them better. This is a great time to build your relationship and let the volunteer know how much you appreciate their future help. Building a Great Relationship Once the volunteer has started helping, you may feel like you should be doing something to compensate them for their time. This is not an uncommon feeling, although you already are compensating them. The volunteer decided to help the elderly because they received a feeling of compassion and emotional satisfaction from helping. This amazing experience can only be obtained through helping others. Because of this, the volunteer may respectfully reject any attempts to give them compensation. Do not give the volunteers money for their time spent helping you. You may bake them their favorite desserts or give them veggies from your garden to share what you have created together. By simply expressing your gratitude by thanking the volunteer for their help, you can improve the relationship for the long term. 9

10 Many fun and exciting activities exist to share with the volunteer, all are important to creating a strong and emotionally rewarding relationship. If you have ever noticed a new couple or friendship in public, they always seem to be talking or enjoying themselves together in some form or another. They are taking time to get to know and understand one another, setting the structure for their relationship in the future. As they get older, they already understand a great deal about one another and can enjoy their time together by being in one another s presence. One reason that people may enjoy one another s presence as the relationship continues is that they establish love. You may be eager to explore new activities together and get to know one another. Or, you may prefer to take it slow and take time to become introduced. Whatever your method of becoming a companion, you may enjoy each other s company to a great degree. One fun activity to share is taking a moment to enjoy the rich beauty nature has to offer. You may take a day to walk in the park, watch the birds or go on a kayaking adventure. If you bring a camera, a good project may be to make a scrapbook of all your outdoor excursions and the birds you see. Many people enjoy the outdoors, so it may be great to find an outdoor activity that you both enjoy. You could also take turns introducing one another to your favorite outdoor activities. If the volunteer enjoys going for walks in the park and your hobby is drawing landscapes or fishing, you could take the time to share each one. By introducing one another to your favorite outdoor activities, you may find a great new hobby and create a memorable experience together. There are many sports that you also may enjoy together that are not physically demanding such as swimming, horseshoes and 10

11 golf. It is important to speak with your doctor before playing sports, to ensure that you have permission. Your community may have a center designed for these activities like a YMCA or a country club. Some high schools or universities will allow visitors to use their athletic facilities during specified hours, ask the volunteer to contact your local schools to ask about these opportunities. There may also be putt-putt golf courses, local parks and beaches in your area for you practice athletic activities or just appreciate the outdoors. If you enjoy exercising, Yoga and Thai Chi are also ways to stay physically fit and are often recommended for the elderly. Both of these exercises have been known to possibly reduce stress, increase flexibility and balance. When you are exercising, it is important to warm up and cool down incrementally. This is encouraged for anyone exercising, but is more important as we get older. By stretching, you are preventing your body from being sore or exceptionally tired after workouts. You are also greatly reducing the chance of injury of you and the elder. We can often be exited to begin with our activities for the day, but a simple ten-minute stretch can go far. If you prefer to grow your own food for fun or enjoy natural foods, you may also create a small garden. Having a garden may reduce stress and strengthen your emotional bond by creating life together. Gardening can be a simple activity or a very complex career. No matter what your skill level, there are many resources available to get you and the volunteer started on gardening. Some plants take less skill to grow than others; growing wild flowers may be much easier than growing prize winning squash. If you prefer literature or the arts to other activities, you may read or write with the volunteer. A great way to spend time with 11

12 one another and spread the value of knowledge may be to share your favorite books or poems. You may be aware of amazing classics novels and poems that you have not yet discovered and the volunteer may have insight on the latest best sellers. Together, you can share the rich experience of reading and explore new books. You can also take a trip to your local art museum or gallery to share the art and educational experience with a loved one. Before you go, make sure that you can see properly so that you are not disappointed when entering the museum. Some paintings are positioned far from the eyes and some museums may prevent visitors from getting too close. If a distance rule exists at your local museum or gallery, try calling ahead and asking if they can accommodate you. If you and the volunteer prefer creating more than observing, there are many low cost arts and crafts projects available online. Your creation will be you forever as a trophy to your achievement and with them as a reminder of their compassion. Sometimes local art centers have art classes available for painting, clay or mosaics and theatre. These classes often charge a fee, although they may have a discount for seniors or may be able to make accommodations upon request. There are many other activities that you can share with the volunteer. The important thing is to be creative and select things that you both enjoy doing. You can introduce one another to new activities, but no one likes to be forced into activities that they do not enjoy. If the volunteer asks you to do an activity that you do not enjoy, there is no need for you to continue doing it. If the volunteer seems to not enjoy an activity you share with them, recommend something else. 12

13 All too often we think that every human is so unique that we fail to see how common we really are. Even though the elder you care for may have a different background and age, you are almost sure to discover something that you both enjoy. About Us Founded in Ann Arbor MI, Elder Helpers is a non-profit organization that connects elders desiring companionship and assistance with volunteers desiring to help them. The objective of Elder Helpers is to provide affordable elderly care for every senior that desires it, while creating rewarding relationships for volunteers. Elder Helpers is an Internet based service serving as a global information and communication center. The organization operates by connecting volunteers and elders everywhere an Internet connection is available. It also assists local agencies by finding volunteers for elders desiring companionship and assistance. Elder Helpers is founded on trust, generosity, dependability and integrity. To ensure that all volunteers behave in an ethical manner, Elder Helpers has developed a partnership with IntelliCorp. The National Association of Background Screeners accredits the corporation, a non-profit designed to better serve clients and maintain standards of excellence in the background screening industry. 13

14 The founder of the Campaign for Aging Research a 501(c) (3) Charlie Warren discovered the need for compassionate and affordable elderly assistance while staying in Florida. There are 4.5 million elderly persons required assistance with one or more activities of daily living. There were many options in place for elderly care, but few offered genuine non-profit assistance. With the median income of persons over 65 being $25,887 for men and $15,282 for women, it was essential to create an organization to fulfill the need and provide volunteers the opportunity to help. In 2008 Elder Helpers became the program to fulfill this need by matching willing volunteers to elders requiring assistance with daily living. There are now over 10,000 volunteers registered to help elders around the world and the program is growing rapidly. The Elder Helpers program focuses on the website s ease of use so that the elderly may easily access it. With 41% of people over 65 having used the Internet, the organization strives to maintain communication between volunteers and elders. Elder Helpers offers a wide variety of tasks for volunteers to assist with such as: Shopping Entertaining 14

15 Reading Cleaning Cooking Gardening Handiwork The activities offered in the Elder Helpers program are all essential to providing compassionate care. The organization allows volunteers to create a small biography, and explain why they are interested in helping the elderly. The biography and desired tasks are accessible to elders searching for volunteers in their community. Tips, testimonials and a photo gallery are also included on the website in order to assist volunteers and elders to achieve a successful match. Elder Helpers Ethical Code 1. Responsibility must be practiced by always making the best decision to benefit society. We strive to create the best relationships with volunteers and elders, believing that it is our duty to ensure the continuation of our program through your satisfaction. 15

16 2. Compassion is at the heart of our operations because we want to make the world a better place and improve the lives of elders across the world. 3. Trust in every aspect of our operations with the public and with respect to international laws and regulations. We not only expect to meet our legal obligations as a non-profit varying across countries, but we have a very high standard for ethics upheld by trust in our daily operations. 4. Generosity of all supporters and staff of our organization which allows us to consistently pursue our mission of connecting elders with volunteers desiring to help them. Without the donations from our respected supporters, our program would not be capable of its consistent growth and expansion. 5. Honor the different cultures, beliefs and practices varying from region to region across the world. Operating on a multinational scale encourages us to be accepting of all beliefs and backgrounds to provide care for anyone who needs it regardless of their lifestyle. 6. Promise to our supporters that with their help, we will continue to provide assistance to those in need. This means that while you or a loved one is planning for retirement, having access to free care and companionship is one less factor that you need to worry about. Continued support of our mission will ensure the same thing for our volunteers future and generations to come. 7. Excellence is put forth in all of our strategies to improve the program for elders and volunteers. Our volunteers may donate their time to our program, but we encourage a high degree of quality in their work because it helps you to have a more enriching experience and we can achieve our mission. 16

17 8. Respect of all citizens, especially volunteers, supporters and the elderly affiliated with our organization is vital. We passionately believe that treating everyone with a high degree of respect is fundamental to our operations. 17