Department: Specialized Geriatric Services, Elder Life Program
Volunteer Position Title: Elder Life Program (ELP) Volunteer
Date Reviewed/Revised: November 2024
Volunteer Schedule Openings (Days/Hours), 3-4 hour shifts within these times:
- 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Thursday – Saturday
- 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Sunday
Position Reports To:
- Elder Life Coordinator (ELC), Elder Life Program
- Clinical Practice & Operations Manager, Specialized Geriatrics
Position Summary
The Elder Life Program (ELP) enhances the hospital experience for patients aged 55 or better across HDGH. ELP aims to support well-being by reducing the risk of delirium, addressing social isolation, and promoting the personhood of hospitalized older adults.
Personal Accountability
Dress Code
Adhere to the code/standard/policy of the Department and Hospital, including wearing appropriate Hospital Identification badges.
All volunteers MUST wear their volunteer golf shirt buttoned up with the Identification Badge visible and clipped to their golf shirt when volunteering in the hospital.
Maintain a clean and neat appearance.
Attendance
Report for service regularly as scheduled.
Report for service on time and ready to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the position.
Record hours on the Volunteer Information Centre (VIC).
Sign in before and after your shift at one of three sign-in stations. *Accurate records of when you are on duty are important in the event of an emergency or incident.*
A minimum time commitment of one 3-hour shift per week for 8 months, or 100 hours, is required. *A less than 8-month commitment is subject to approval by the ELC.*
This minimum time commitment is a requirement because the volunteer training process is intensive and poses a substantial time commitment to the program staff.
A written Letter of Reference can be requested and is subject to approval from the ELC after the completion of 100 hours
Our program – and most of all, our patients – rely on our dedicated ELP Volunteer Team every shift, every day.
- If you do not contact the ELC and Volunteer Services or come in for your scheduled shift, this will be considered a No-Call/ No-Show.
- On three occurrences, a meeting will be scheduled to discuss the future of your position with the ELP team. Always call or email to avoid this from occurring.
- If you know in advance that you will be absent, notify the ELC and Volunteer Services by phone or email.
Mission
The Mission of Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare is to serve the healthcare needs of our community including those who are vulnerable and/or marginalized in any way be it, physically, socially, or mentally. As a Catholic sponsored healthcare organization, we provide patient-centred care treating the body, mind and spirit. We do this by providing holistic, compassionate and innovative care to those we serve.
The ELP Volunteer Team furthers HDGH's mission by nurturing a compassionate, senior-friendly environment that respects the dignity and autonomy of patients through key interventions carried out during friendly visits.
Service Expectations
Complete the training offered through Volunteer Services.
Exemplify excellent service towards patients, visitors, physicians, staff and co-volunteers.
Show courtesy, compassion and respect.
Please report any personal injuries or incidents to the ELC and Volunteer Services so that an Incident Report can be completed.
Confidentiality of patient and hospital information must be maintained at all times.
Please respect the guidelines and duties for the role of volunteers; do not infringe on the staff role or become involved in duties for which you do not have training.
Volunteers are the “friendly face” of HDGH. Therefore, please remember that it is not your role to enforce policies – this could put you in a compromising situation – please defer to staff.
You may, on occasion, be faced with the challenge of dealing with an upset or distressed patient/family/visitor. Please do not take this personally and do everything possible not to escalate the situation further. Seek support and assistance from staff.
Always ask hospital staff for help with any questions or needs if matters fall outside the volunteer scope or if a professional opinion would be beneficial.
Specific Accountabilities
Duties
- Review patient assignment sheets at the beginning of each shift and check unit whiteboards before individual visits for any important patient updates (i.e., change in status, isolation, meal support, etc.).
- Accurately record all completed interventions during each patient visit using the “ELP Visitation Form.”
- ELP Volunteers must perform hand hygiene at the correct moments and wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as indicated on the precaution sign.
- Report all subjective abnormal findings to the clinical care team once identified.
Support ELP Patients through the Following Key Program Interventions
ELP Orientation
Support patients' awareness of their physical environment by providing communication, orientation to time, place, and identity, and opportunities for socialization. Engage patients in discussions about current events, topics of interest, seasons, and dates, and ensure the patient whiteboard is updated.
Hearing & Vision Support
Ensure patients have access to properly functioning assistive devices and clean glasses to meet their sensory needs.
Person-Centered Engagement
Offer personalized, meaningful support to keep patients mentally and socially engaged. When appropriate, complete an 'All About Me' form to better understand their preferences and interests.
Meal & Hydration Support
Support meals by opening packages, reading menus, offering meal support, encouraging patients to eat, providing fresh water, reminding them to intake fluids, and offering companionship during mealtimes.
Environmental Support
Address patients' environmental needs to enhance their comfort and well-being. This includes adjusting lighting and temperature, controlling noise, reducing clutter, ensuring essential items are easily accessible, etc.
Sleep Hygiene
Implement non-pharmacological strategies to help regulate sleep/wake cycles for patients. This includes friendly visits encouraging good sleep hygiene, guiding relaxation techniques, offering reassurance, and optimizing the sleep environment.
Restrictions
- Volunteers must not provide direct feeding to patients: this requires additional, specialized training and is outside the scope of the ELP Volunteer role.
- Volunteers must not interfere with a patient’s medical treatment or provide professional advice.
- Volunteers are not responsible for patient care. Refer requests to the care team.
- Volunteers are not allowed to discuss confidential hospital issues outside the department or the hospital.
- Volunteers are restricted from all personal information on the patient’s chart other than the patient’s name, gender, date of birth or age and diagnosis.
- Volunteers are the “friendly face” of HDGH. Therefore, please remember that it is not your role to enforce policies – this could put you in a compromising situation – please defer to staff.
- You may, on occasion, be faced with the challenge of dealing with an upset or distressed patient/family/visitor. Please do not take this personally and do everything possible not to escalate the situation further. Seek support and assistance from staff.
- Always ask hospital staff for help with any questions or needs if matters fall outside the volunteer scope or if a professional opinion would be beneficial.
- Volunteers are not permitted to enter a room of a patient with Droplet/Contact Precaution sign on door.
- Volunteers are not permitted to:
- Take responsibility for patient’s personal belongings.
- Offer opinions or give medical advice.
- Accept an assignment outside volunteer guidelines.
- Assume responsibility for making beds.
- Accept money from patients.
- Enter a room without patient or medical authorization.
- Jeopardize yourself in an unsafe situation.
Volunteer should respect the staff and let them carry out their duties.
Position Specifications
Assets
- Be an interested, mature adult - minimum age 17 years.
- Be honest, dependable and courteous.
- Be helpful to patients and family at all times.
- Be willing to accept supervision and new policies.
- Be willing to seek and/or accept direction from professional staff.
- Adhere to rules and guidelines established in your service description.
- Adhere to rules of confidentiality.
Prepared By
Samantha Butryn and HDGH Volunteer Services, November 2024