Aged care needs older volunteers
How about joining a service sector that really needs you and enables you to support other ageing people?
Jim’s experience of volunteering
Jim volunteers with RSL Care South Australia as a resident support volunteer.
“I have PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and needed to do something to get myself out of a rut,” he said. “I thought that working with people would help and decided aged care would be the way to go.”
Jim is across many tasks in his day-to-day role.
“I give one-on-one support with residents, assist with activities, take residents shopping and to appointments, drive the bus for trips with residents and will recite the Ode of Remembrance at veterans’ funerals.
Jim thoroughly enjoys his role, saying: “It gave me a real purpose and provided me with a great sense of satisfaction and joy being able to help people.
“I really enjoy the connections built with people and the interactions with the residents and their families.”
Older people have special experience and talents to bring to the aged care system, whether as workers or volunteers.
Ageing is a special stage of life and who better to understand it and provide support to those who are struggling with ageing than someone who also has lived experience?
It is not surprising, then, that the Department of Health and Aged Care has embarked on a recruitment drive for mature aged volunteers to contribute to the nation’s aged care homes and support services.
The department has released a booklet outlining how to volunteer, what volunteers should expect, and how care providers can best enable volunteers in the system.
The department gets off on the right foot by saying, “Volunteers are an essential part of the aged care system. They can give support to older people from diverse backgrounds, life experiences, and cultures to improve their physical and mental wellbeing.”
Volunteering is rewarding for volunteers, too, they can benefit from meeting people, learning skills, and positively contributing to the community.
There are two types of volunteers:
Formal volunteers: they give their time freely by supporting older people in their own or residential aged care home for the common good and without financial gain.
Informal volunteers: who do things such as helping an elderly neighbour or caring for a family member or friend.
Volunteers can spend their time supporting older people in many ways.
They can help with gardening, transport, and meal delivery or simply just be there for a chat. They can also give support to older people in:
• Residential aged care homes
• Respite care
• The homes of people with a Home Care Package (HCP) under the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP).
The time commitment varies between roles and aged care providers work with volunteers to find a role that best suits. Most volunteering is face-to-face, but some roles can be virtual (online).
As a volunteer, you can expect to be trained by the aged care provider you choose. You should receive:
• Appropriate volunteer insurance cover
• Induction and training in line with your role
• Respect for your involvement
• The ability to provide feedback
• A warm welcome and encouragement
• On-site supervision and access to a volunteer manager.
Volunteering can open career doors. The sector is under pressure and looking for more staff, so if you want to change careers, or you are seeking part-time work, you may want to try volunteering first.
You can learn more about careers in aged care, what formal qualifications are required, and available training programs here.
The booklet Aged Care Volunteering and the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS) is available here. Other resources are available here.
