Volunteers

[esherma 0]

I am a Recreation Director out in Syracuse NY. I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for things that volunteers would be good for. We have a volunteer here but she does a lot of nails and wants to do more. I was going to show here how to do some of the cognitive groups that I do but how have all of you used your volunteers.

[ILoveMyLVN 0]

I am a Recreation Director out in Syracuse NY. I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for things that volunteers would be good for. We have a volunteer here but she does a lot of nails and wants to do more. I was going to show here how to do some of the cognitive groups that I do but how have all of you used your volunteers.

 

 

Well, have you tried asking her what else she wants to do. Some people are really not comfortable in front of a group leading, while others are..it depends on her strengths.

 

Also, how high functioning are your residents? Could you use her help doing a sensory group while another higher functioning group is going on? She can have them identify scents, or work on a simple small container gardening activity.

 

For one on ones with alert residents, I would suggest featuring a Resident of the month story to display in a shadow box somewhere in your facility. For those non alert residents, have their family give some information. She can talk to residents and ask questions from a form listing some basic questions: Where they grew up, how many siblings, memorable moments from their school days, funny things they remember doing, how many kids they had, how they met their spouse, etc. She can get through 3-4 residents and you can have them ready for the coming months, or to put into your newsletter.

 

Have her do a cooking activity..like a fall themed food such as apple cinnamon cupcakes, then she and the residents can decorate them with frosting and sprinkles, have some apple cider and talk about fall coming. Ask them what their favorite fall memory is.

 

If she likes to type or do filing, she can help with that, or with some computer data entry you need. You could even have her call around and price some holiday items for you.

Edited September 14, 2008 by ILoveMyLVN

[mefranks1970 0]

Our volunteers conduct activities such as Bingo, do music events, and also help in the Activity Office with filing and organization, it is such a disaster!

 

Mike, Texas

[ILoveMyLVN 0]

Hi All,

 

What are your policies with volunteers regarding supervision?

 

Can your volunteers, after some tips and guidance from the AD, lead selected activities on their own?

 

Our volunteers have been fingeprinted, had their background checked, and our management is still saying that they have to be supervised... (ie, the AD has to be in the room with them constantly)

 

What's the concensus from what you've all been doing, or from standards of community practice ?

 

 

Have a fun weekend & Don't work too hard!!!!!

Edited September 20, 2008 by ILoveMyLVN

[Daisygirl1179 0]

If you train them the same way you train employees, they should be considered non-paid employees. At a previous volunteer site that was my title. Its great for those who want to get the experience without the commitment of being an employee.

 

Rachel

[Ekulin 0]

For the most part, our volunteers are church groups who come in on different days and provide religious programming. I have been working on our volunteer program and hope to get in all different ages (elderly to school aged, etc.) I plan to have them do readings/ reminisicing; play games; take residents for walks outdoors, etc. Looking forward to more ideas! Thanks!