A fantastic opportunity to give something back to the community, volunteers are vital to improving social connections for isolated aged care facility residents.
CHNC manager Dale Donadel said the aim was to appropriately match the volunteers with the residents by considering factors such as interests and backgrounds, with volunteers then visiting them to form friendships and offer companionship.
“Volunteers receive training such as maintaining privacy, confidentiality and the dignity of aged care recipients, infection control, duty of care and their own obligations, responsibilities and behavioural expectations,” she said.
In another win for volunteers, all of these skills are very transferrable and have proven in previous similar programs to be very beneficial in job searching and securing employment in the aged care sector.
“The increased wellbeing that isolated residents experience through having a friendly weekly or fortnightly visitor can’t be denied and brings joy to both the resident and volunteer,” Ms Donadel said.
If you would like more information about supporting local isolated aged residents in Inner West and South West Sydney, contact Marisa or Colleen on 9645 3700 or check out chnc.org.au.
