VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HELP LOCAL SENIORS!

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OVERVIEW

About the Area Agency on Aging:

In 1965, Congress passed the Older Americans Act (OAA), which created structures at the federal, state, and local levels to administer programs for older adults. AAA’s advocate for older adults living in their area. AAAs are responsible for analyzing the needs of seniors, assessing existing services, and implementing new services as needed.

We provide a variety of programs and services that support and promote the independence, dignity, and health of older adults in our community and those who care for them. These programs and services include:

• Case Management
• Family Caregiver Support
• Friendly Visitors
• Health Insurance Assistance
• Homemaker/Home Care Services
• Options Counseling
• Oregon Money Management
• Public Outreach, Education, and Advocacy
• Senior Meal Programs.

Volunteers of the AAA have the opportunity to work within the programs that most interest them and that they are best suited to. Examples of specific volunteer positions include:

• Friendly Visitors spend one or two hours a week or every-other week visiting an elder, sharing a hobby, preparing a snack, being a friend.
• Healthy Living Volunteers co-lead 6 week workshops for seniors on topics such as Healthy Eating for Successful Living, Chronic Disease Self-Management and Diabetes Self-Management.
• Money Managers assist elders and individuals with disabilities in bill paying and budgeting.
• Nutrition Volunteers help at senior luncheon sites or deliver hot meals to elders' homes.
• SHIBA volunteers provide area elders with accurate information regarding health insurance options.
• Shopping Assistants shop for seniors or accompany them to the store.
• Event Assistants help plan, promote, and execute events organized by the AAA.
• LTC Ombudsman Volunteers advocate, educate, and investigate on behalf of seniors reisiding in long-term care facilities to protect their rights and dignity. This role is best suited for someone that has 16 flexible hours to volunteer each month.
• Front Office Receptionist acts as the gateway for community members to receive needed services. The front-desk receptionist will: welcome visitors and answer incoming calls; provide outstanding customer service to all clients, visitors, staff, and volunteers; and respond to inquiries by providing information and directing visitors to appropriate resources.

WORK LOCATION

Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam and Wheeler Counties

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to pass a criminal background check
• Ability to uphold confidentiality
• Ability to work with people of different backgrounds/circumstances
• Good communication skills
• Dependable
• Empathetic
• Honest
• Friendly

COMMITMENT

Volunteers should be available on a regularly scheduled basis, weekly, every other week, or monthly for a minimum or one to two hours for a minimum of one year. Schedules are flexible and dependent on specific volunteer position.

TRAINING REQUIRED

• Orientation
• Policies & Procedures
• Additional training may be required, depending on position.

BENEFITS

• Build lasting friendships
• Increase your social & relationship skills
• Combat depression
• Increase self-confidence
• Help you improve your physical health
• Increased knowledge of community resources
• Help you feel needed & valued
• Make a difference in your community

AGE REQUIREMENT

• Must be 18 years or older.