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OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®








 THE GOOD NEIGHBOR TOOL KIT: IMPROVING YOURSELF AS A VOLUNTEER cont.

  

Why Volunteer?

Getting Started

Improving Your Community

Improving Yourself as a Volunteer

Fundraising

Working with Volunteers

More Resources

Directory: Links to Charitable Organizations		   8 Tips for Working With the Elderly

If you’re close to an elderly relative or neighbor, volunteering with the elderly might be right for you, says Dick Gehring, president of the Meals on Wheels of Buffalo and Erie County. This 31-year-old group in upstate New York servers more than 1 million meals a year to 2,000 clients, most of them over 80.

1. Train yourself to look for physical conditions that might need attention. Are there sores that aren’t healing that might indicate an infection? Does the person seem more frail than a week earlier?

2. Be curious. You’re often one of the few people an elderly person sees all day; having a real interest in listening to their lives and histories gives them a chance to communicate with others.--Debra Parmenter, 2001 Good Neighbor Award Winner

3. Similarly, elderly people have great knowledge to share. Give them that opportunity.

4. Watch for signs of elderly abuse. Regular bruising may be one indication.

5. Be sensitive to the limitations of age. Tasks you take for granted, like opening a jar or picking up a book from the floor, may be a major challenge for the elderly.

6. Provide stimulation to keep the immobile elderly involved. Music, books on tape, or even a quick 15-minute visit can mean a great deal.--Debra Parmenter, 2001 Good Neighbor Award Winner

7. Develop a good eye to distinguish signs of mental confusion. If a befuddled condition persists, contact health-care professionals.

8. Look for small favors that you can offer, such as writing a letter they dictate, running an errand, taking out the garbage each week, or helping move some heavy boxes.

Tips for Working with the Mentally Challenged >