January 12, 2010
Baycrest workshop E1 at the 20th IAVE World Volunteer Conference, Panama 2008
One Size Does Not Fit All: How Research and Practice can engage today’s Older Adult Volunteer
An innovative way to attract today’s seniors to your agency.
Objectives
To recognize the characteristics that define the up and coming generations of our volunteer (and staff) workforce.
To look at how a research project examining the cognitive, physical and psychosocial benefits of volunteering will encourage the senior volunteer to get involved in your agency.
Baycrest
Hospital: Long/Short stay.
Palliative Care
CCC/ Chronic Care
Long-term Care Facility
Housing
Outreach and Support Services
Research: KLARU; Rotman.
Community Daycare Services for seniors
Support Groups
Out-patient Care
Clinics
Volunteer Services Department
To achieve excellence and leadership in volunteerism by offering trained volunteers to assist and complement staff in providing the highest quality of care to patients, residents, members and families.
VSD goals are to support the overall mission and strategic direction of Baycrest.
Volunteers Involved at Baycrest
Over 2500 direct service gave time to Baycrest 2007/08
Volunteers have contributed over 120,000 hours
Over 750 attended orientation
Year round Youth Council leadership roles expanded.
Over 5662 meals served by EAP volunteers and they contributed over 14,000 hours.
Over 300 youth volunteered this year.
Volunteer Department Practice
Marketing/Recruitment/Screening/Partnerships
Placement
Follow-up
Supervision (where appropriate)
Recognition: Informal; Formal
Partnerships
VSD Placement Process
Telephone contact
Orientation/Manual
TB Test
Character Reference
Personal Interview
Code of Conduct
Referral to Position
Placement
Follow up
Risk Management Approach
Telephone call
Police checks (as required)
Clear Policies and procedures for volunteer involvement
Clear position descriptions for volunteers
TB/Flu shots
Orientation and training
Liability Insurance
Supervision
Character references
Evaluations
Staff buy-in
Staff education
How do generations of the future older adult differ?
They are defined by common tastes, attitudes and experiences.
Generations encompass a myriad of circumstances, economic, social, political.
Clearly defined by their work experience, their heroes, music, headlines of their growing up years.
Multi Generations
Veterans/*Traditionalist (1922-1945)
Boomers* (1946-1964)
Xers (1965-1980)
Millennials (1981-2000)
Core Values Veterans, Boomers
Dedication and sacrifice
Hard work
Conformity
Law & Order
Patience
Duty before pleasure
Honour
Optimistic
Team player
Personal gratification
Personal growth
“New radicalism”
Health and wellness
Involved
Leadership Expectations Veterans, Boomers
Direct
Take Charge
Delegate
Policies and procedures
Demonstrate respect
Consensus
Participatory
Turn the traditional hierarchy upside down
Volunteers Today
Research Assistants
Administrative Assistants
Musicians
Artists/ Photographers
Public Relations
OT/PT Professionals
Librarians
Medical Secretary
Retirees
Recreationists
Business Professionals
Social Workers
Lawyers
Doctors/dentists
Accountants
School Teachers
School Principals
Executive Directors
IT Programmers
IT Network Professionals
Financial Analysts
PSW
Healthcare Aides
Registered Nurses
HR Professionals
Volunteers as a Human Resource
Volunteers will be an increasingly important resource that will enhance and help sustain services.
Through volunteer involvement we can rethink their roles within the context of our environment.
Provide value added partnership both qualitative and quantitative.
Generational Mix In Your Country
Does your volunteer program look like what I just demonstrated in my North American environment?
What do you see as traits of your older adult volunteers? (Their core values; leadership expectations)
Today’s Volunteer Engagement
How do you see the changing demographics in your world effecting volunteer roles in your agency and services?
What internal changes might you have to implement to attract those volunteers?
Why a Research Project?
How will it put your agency in the drivers seat?
Volunteers Involved in Program /Research Development
Mackenzie: Heart & Stroke Grant; Research
Palliative Care/Renewal/ Protocol of Practice
Ethics/Narrative Project
Website; volunteer friendly/ youth driven
Aging Well Starts Now Conferences
Research Project: Volunteers Experiences Visiting cognitively Impaired in nursing homes. (CJA)
Rationale
Can volunteer involvement “protect against” dementia?
Filling in research gaps
objective measurement
cognitive outcomes
Provides recruitment tool for future volunteers
Models partnerships
Baycrest Study Partners
KLARU
Volunteer Services Department
Leadership Volunteers
Public Affairs
Other Divisions
Funders
KLARU ( Kunin-Lunenfeld Applied Research Unit) division of Baycrest Research Institute.
Mandate to translate basic research into improving care of older adults.
Affiliated with University of Toronto
33 Scientists (11 KLARU)
195 total individuals: scientists, post-doctoral fellows, graduate students, research assistants and support personnel.
Study Team
PhD, CPsych-Psychologist (Cognitive neurorehabilitation of aging)
PhD, OT(Reg)-Occupational Therapist (Cognitive rehabilitation)
Phd, MSW-Social Work (Caregiver Support)
PhD, RN-Nursing (workplace issues in long-term care: patient safety in long-term care)
PhD, PT-Physical Therapy (program evaluation, stroke rehabilitation and recovery)
Director, Volunteer Services Baycrest
Leadership Volunteers
Implementation
Scientists develop tests and timelines
Volunteers roles identified (direct and indirect)
Recruitment/marketing strategy
Interview and placement
Ongoing monitoring process
Evaluation
Dissemination of results
Benefits To All Parties
Engagement
Learning
Demonstrates value of volunteerism
Value added
Relationship building
Positioning Your Agency as the Placement of Choice
Marketability - Do you offer opportunities for today’s market?
Relationships - Do you support a relationship model for volunteers?
Knowledge - Can you strengthen services feeding on the knowledge and skills of volunteers?
Leadership - Are you positioned to be a leader in the field of volunteer involvement in your community?
Adapted from" American College of Healthcare Executives”
