Care Through Conversation - Telephone Reassurance - Tennessee Residents only

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Engaging with the community and showing Care Through Conversation is important as feelings of social isolation and loneliness persist throughout the older adult population during the COVID-19 outbreak. The purpose of the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability (TCAD) Telephone Reassurance program is to provide support to all older adults and caregivers across the state during the COVID-19 crisis. Care through Conversation seeks to promote social connectedness and positive interaction with Tennessee’s older adults and caregivers. Telephone reassurance will engage older adults in conversation and assess their needs including but not limited to access to meals, groceries or essentials, and medications.

Purpose or Role: This volunteer role will allow volunteers to contact an older adult via telephone to ensure their needs are being met. Purpose or Role: This volunteer role will allow volunteers to contact an older adult via telephone to ensure their needs are being met.

Position Title: Care through Conversations - Telephone Reassurance Volunteer

Department: This telephone reassurance program is housed within the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability (TCAD)
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

* Call one or more older adults a minimum of one time per week
* Call one or more older adults a minimum of one time per week
* Be willing to call and individual more times per week upon request
* Ask specific questions determined by TCAD to assess needs of older adults
* Complete the online questionnaire form provided to you at the end of each call, every time you contact an older adult with as much detail as possible
* Refer clients to appropriate resources as detailed in documents provided to you by TCAD
* Communicate with the Director of Volunteer Services, immediately if you are not able to continue
volunteer service or have an urgent need/concern about an older adult you have contacted

Reports to: Director of Volunteer Services, Sidney Schuttrow at Sidney.Schuttrow@tn.gov or 615-741-1585

Length of Appointment: A person can serve in this volunteer position for as long as they are able to perform the essential duties and responsibilities detailed above. While this role was created during the COVID-19 pandemic, we hope this opportunity will be able continue to serve older Tennesseans for the foreseeable future.

Time Commitment: The time per call will be dependent on the older adult and their need. We encourage you to be patient and talk with the person as long as needed. We estimate a call may take 15-30 minutes depending on need, longer calls are possible.

Qualifications:
* Pass the standard Volunteer Screening
* Pass the standard Volunteer Screening
* Sign online Confidentiality Form
* Complete training provided
* Have access to a telephone and internet

Support Provided: TCAD provides training, screening, resources and technical assistance to all volunteers. The Director of Volunteer Services is responsible for distributing important information to volunteers to make sure volunteers can complete their role successfully. At any time a volunteer is in need of assistance or guidance while working with an older adult, they are welcomed and encouraged to contact the Director of Volunteer Services.