RES 90134 - Laserfiche WebLink

PROGRAM DEFINITIONS In-Home Reassurance: The In-Home Reassurance program utilizes volunteers matched with frail homebound elders. Volunteers are from the community who are recruited and trained by the In-Home Reassurance coordinator to help provide a varlets' of ~rxices to elders. These services are those very often taken for granted by able-bodied citizens. They include but are not limited to visiting and escort services, letter writing, reading, shopping, companionship and phone contacts. Volunteers are encouraged to visit at least once each week. Sometimes volunteers provide weekly respite for the care- giver of an elderly person. These are all services whiuh often spell the difference between a person being able to maintain independence or giving up in loneliness and despair. The visitor becomes a dependable, personal friend to the frail, isolated elder as well as a link to other community resources. Hours of Service Provided It takes approximately 8 hours to place a volunteer with an elder. Volunteer: Recruit volunteer Interview and screen Check references 2-3 hrs. training Elder: Intake for service Home visit (an assessment of eider and needs; Matching of elder and volunteer Monthly monitoring of elder or volunteer by staff Group socialization: provided for elders and volunteers four times a year. In-Home Registry: In 1989, we began a registry of care providers, housekeeper~ and handymen to assist the elderly with daily living problems. Choreworker services include assistance with housecleaning, simple maintenance, personal care, errands and transportation. Registry workers are local community people, both professional and non-professional who are willing to provide these services to local eiders for a much lower fee than a Home Care Agency, plumber, etc. Professional fees of S12-$20. per hour make it impossible for elders on low and fixed incomes to obtain the help they need. Our in-home registry enables the elder to find help within their means.