Out and About Seniors Escort Support, Volunteer

VHA Home HealthCare (VHA) is one of the largest not-for-profit home care providers in Ontario. Our team is made up of close to 3,000 caring and committed professionals who love what they do. Our providers tell us: “Home care is where I can truly make a difference. There is such a sense of accomplishment from helping people live independently at home.” Our teams work together to provide high quality, client-centred care to those who need it most in their homes, schools, retirement homes and other community settings. Many of our team members manage their own schedules in the community and they say, “The freedom and flexibility can’t be beat.” Providers form meaningful bonds with the clients and families they serve over time and are supported by a diverse regional team and beneficial home office programs. Team members tell us “I love the inclusive culture. I feel welcome and at home.”

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The Out and About: Seniors Escort Support program helps seniors stay active, connected, and healthy by providing safe escort support to medical appointments, therapy visits, community events and workshops. We support social engagement, ensuring seniors can access essential care and remain involved in their communities. The program reduces isolation, improves healthcare adherence, and strengthens seniors’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

The program provides opportunities for older adults to stay active, educated and connected in their communities, through physical activities, social engagements, and access to local tourism. The program offers a wide range of services to ensure seniors receive support to maintain their health, well-being, and independence.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Attend scheduled activity(s) with a senior (i.e. theatre, concerts, appointment, activity, medical or therapy appointment, walks in the neighborhood)
• Meet senior at their home at scheduled time
• Travel to and from event together via taxi, Uber etc.
• Escort senior home at scheduled time
• Escort to and from the activity, appointment or event as a guest
• Engage in supportive, friendly conversation
• Engage positively with seniors
• Care for the safety, privacy and confidentiality of client and client information at all times
• Respect client privacy and adhere to confidentiality, privacy & other policies at all times
• Report to program staff in a timely manner.
• Understand, follow and implement emergency procedures swiftly and independently

SKILLS, QUALITIES, QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (Listening, oral communication to engage fully with client while in the community)
• Able to care for senior, and experience caring for, vulnerable seniors
• Experience and ease engaging vulnerable individuals and families
• Able to engage clients in conversation, and respond easily, creating understanding
• Friendly, caring, patient, reliable, compassionate, empathetic, tactful
• Able to make a commitment, plan, and adhere to set schedule
• Able to volunteer in person, in various public locations, indoors, outdoors, various terrain
• Comfortable traveling throughout Toronto
• Able and willing to follow all policies, procedures and requirements, including but not limited to privacy, confidentiality, infection, prevention and control requirements
• Experience and sensitivity working with culturally diverse individuals and families
• Able and willing to easily receive and follow instructions, policies, procedures and boundaries
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as an effective team member

TIME COMMITMENT

• Approximately 4 hours/week plus travel time; 1 shift/activity is minimum 4 hours in length
• Available to volunteer consistently each week, same day / time
• Able to commit for minimum of 24 weeks; longer if possible/desired
• Weekdays only; No evenings; No weekends

WORKING CONDITIONS

• The Volunteer engages client independently, attending a scheduled event in the community on pre-determined day/time/location based on client request and volunteer availability.
• Locations, atmosphere, physical spaces, noise levels will vary depending upon the scheduled activity.
• Engagements may take place indoors or outdoors and terrain will vary.
• Volunteer reports to and is supported by program staff
• All privacy, confidentiality and other policies must be strictly adhered to at all times
• Volunteers must follow all infection prevention and control requirements at all times

BENEFITS

• Practice existing communication, interpersonal, care skills
• Gain work-related, and community healthcare experience
• Build your resume and build upon existing skills
• Build on your communication, and interpersonal skills
• Develop social and professional networks
• Receive support through orientation, training
• Experience an environment where volunteers are engaged, challenged, and rewarded
• Gain opportunities to meet new people; support your community
• Make a difference in clients’ lives with needed support
• Receive verification letter after 100 hours of service

BOUNDARIES

• No clinical activities performed by volunteers
• No personal care given to clients by volunteers
• No exchange of personal contact information (phone, e-mail, addresses, social media, no photographs etc., with clients)
• No client contact, of any kind outside of volunteer shifts as scheduled with VHA
• No giving of gifts, items, food or drink
• Do not accept gifts/money from clients
• Do not give/lend money/gifts
• Volunteers work within position description, policies, procedures, boundaries, and protocols at all times

ORIENTATION, TRAINING & SUPPORT

• Orientation to the organization
• Role orientation
• Reports to program staff on a regular basis
• Program staff will be available for feedback and support
• Confirms schedule and schedule changes with program staff in advance of volunteer shifts

SCREENING AND SUPERVISION

• Resume
• Phone Screening
• Interview
• 2 references
• Signed Policies; release agreement and waiver
• Independent and group learning, in person and online

BENEFITS

• Volunteers are supported through orientation, training, (online and in person) meetings, workshops, seminars, and one-to-one support.

• Career-related experience.

• We provide an environment where volunteers are engaged, challenged & rewarded.

• Opportunities to meet new people.

• Develop social and professional networks.

• Build on your communication, interpersonal and leadership skills.

• Gain valuable work experience to build your resume.

• Support your community.

• Enhance clients' lives and deliver life-changing supports and services.

• Verification letter upon request following 100 hours of volunteer service.

• Program Assistant or/Coordinator or/Supervisor will be available for feedback and support.

Accommodation and VHA’s commitment to DEI

At VHA Home HealthCare (VHA), we passionately strive to uphold our commitments to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. We champion inclusion and diversity in all parts of our organization and are strong believers that a diverse workforce is key to the ongoing and future success of VHA. We aim to review all applicants with fair and unbiased recruitment practices where opportunities are presented based on merits, skills, and experience. VHA is committed to providing reasonable accommodation and our services are accessible and sensitive to the needs of diverse groups. If you require any accommodation, please let us know in advance as we are happy to comply.