Using Volunteers with the Elderly in Health Care Settings

Abstract

In a time of government retrenchment, volunteers may be a great benefit, yet they can present extensive problems if not appropriately trained and supervised. We examine two types of programs using volunteers to work with the elderly in health care settings. One program type uses volunteers as health care guardians, attempting to alleviate the hospitalization-rehospitalization syndrome. A second type program is state sponsored and mandated by the Older Americans Act. Volunteers are representatives of the state ombudsman and work with elderly persons in long-term care. Both types of programs use volunteers, yet they serve under different auspices. Basic principles, however, apply to these advocacy roles. Managing volunteers, professional-volunteer relationships, and implications for practice are examined.