Volunteer Visitor

Volunteer on your Own

If you wish to enter into a friendship with an elder in a long-term care facility, please complete the Volunteer Information Form and e-mail it to us. We will call you once we have received it
and set up a time when we can meet for an initial interview.

After the interview, one of ELDERGIVERS' staff will introduce you to a nursing home or residential care facility that is conveniently located for you and provide you with as much
support as you need to begin visiting there.

Developing an intimate relationship with an elder can be one of the most enjoyable things you have yet experienced.

Here are a few guidelines that ELDERGIVERS has developed over the years to help make that your volunteer time effective and satisfying.

We are committed to respecting and honoring elders living in institutional settings and offering them opportunities for connection and presence.

Nursing homes and residential care settings are homes to the elderly who live there.
The elderly have much to contribute to us.
We are visiting people who are living through a stage of life which we have yet
to live and we have much to learn from them.
A common spirit connects facility staff, volunteers and residents. We are more alike
than different.

We focus our attention with as little judgment as possible.
We listen with empathy - with the intention to understand and honor the resident's world and what is important to them.
We listen to residents with our ears, eyes and hearts.
We respect the privacy of residents and the responsibilities of nursing home staff.

We chose the context within which we are most comfortable relating and
connecting with nursing home residents.
We adapt our physical, mental and emotional pace to that of our nursing home
friends, and respond to them accordingly.
We introduce ourselves by name each time we greet a resident and whenever possible
Address the resident at eye level.
We recognize that connection may take time and patience, and may not be consistent
from visit to visit.
We know and remember that connection is as simple as a smile, a gentle touch, silent
companionship and always-respectful presence.

Gifts
My gifts to the elderly living in nursing homes are my:

Intention
Attitude
Attention
Connection with the preciousness of life being lived by nursing home residents.
Openness to receiving their gifts.