Organizations Serving the Elderly

 

ASERACARE HOSPICE

Phone: 574-206-1875

Website: www.aseracare.com

Background: AseraCare Hospice, one of the nation's premiere providers of hospice care, serves patients in St. Joseph, Elkhart, and surrounding counties.  Our mission is to share our passion for improving quality of life through innovative healthcare - one person, one family, and one community at a time.  We believe hospice care affirms life.  We exist to provide support and care for persons in the last stages of incurable diseases so that they might live as fully and comfortably as possible.

Volunteers: Direct/Companion Volunteers needed to provided emotional support.  Typical duties might include: reading to a patient, playing music, reminiscing with a patient, or even simply just holding their hand.  All training is provided and we are flexible with hours and training times; we will work around your schedule.

MILTON ADULT DAYS SERVICES


Phone: (574) 232-2666


Website: www.miltonads.org


Background: Milton Day Services provides resources and care during the day for adults age 18 and older recovering from recent illness, injury, or surgery; frail or socially isolated adults living alone or with a caregivers; adults experiencing a decrease in physical, mental, memory or social functioning; and adults who may have any of the following: Stroke, Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer's, Diabetes, etc.

Volunteers: Volunteers will play games, participate in arts and crafts, and spend time with the patients. They will also be in charge of snacks. The community service opportunities are available for a few hours each week.

HEALTHWIN SPECIALIZED CARE FACILITY

Phone: (574) 272-0100

Website: www.healthwin.org


Background: Healthwin is a county owned facility but it is not supported by taxes. It has 156 beds of which 32 are chronic hospital licensed beds, 33 skilled nursing and 91 intermediate care nursing home beds. The Supported Living Center provides life-long and transitional care for the brain injured. It is detached from the main facility and is licensed for seven residents. Healthwin provides services to a variety of chronically ill or elderly people and their families. It offers an alternative to patients in acute hospitals to receive comparable rehabilitative and skilled nursing services with successful therapeutic outcomes. Respite care is also available to provide temporary relief for caregivers.

Volunteers: Healthwin needs student volunteers to make weekly visits to patients on a one-to-one basis. They may also provide help for patients who have special needs, i.e. tutoring, reading, letter writing, etc. The volunteers' schedules can be arranged individually. An orientation will be provided to any new volunteers.

MILTON HOME

Phone: (574) 233-0165

Website: www.themiltonhome.com

Background: Milton Home is a Meridian Health Care Facility that provides residential care for elderly people. It is located on Marian St. in South Bend. Milton Home is committed to maintaining the quality of life of its residents by offering them a hospitable and stimulating environment.

Volunteers: Volunteers are needed to visit residents on a one-to-one basis. Groups are welcome to plan special events in consultation with the Milton Home staff.

REAL SERVICES, INC.

Phone: (574) 284-7138

Website: www.realservicesinc.com


Background: REAL Services is a non-profit social service agency that provides assistance to low-income elderly and disabled persons. We offer transportation services, meal delivery, congregate meal sites, senior employment, home weatherization, energy assistance, adult guardianship, and case management services. We help senior citizens remain in their homes with services.

Volunteers: Since so many senior citizens are on our long waiting lists for a home care agency to provide help in their own home, have poor health, meager incomes and little or no insurance, we are recruiting volunteers for a number of programs:

  • To assist as friendly visitors, respite volunteer companions, housekeepers, handymen, and grocery shoppers. Ideal candidates must be 21 years of age, agree to an interview, and allow us to contact 3 character references and conduct a criminal background check. Must have reliable transportation and be available for a 2 hour weekly or bi-monthly assignment for a semester basis.
  • Guardian Volunteer Advocate. Advocates represent a client who resides in a nursing home and has little or no family involvement. Advocates work on the behalf of the client to see that all needs are met. REAL assumes legal guardianship and the volunteer becomes our "eyes and ears" in the community. Makes medical and legal decisions. Must be 21 and agree to a one year commitment. Must have reliable transportation. Application procedure including interview, 3 references and background check. Monthly report is required. Training is provided. No legal background is required.
  •  Community service is available to college students to assist with meal delivery through our Meals on Wheels program Monday through Friday, beginning at 11:00 a.m. till approximately 12:30 p.m. Application process. Transportation is required to get to meal site. Volunteer will then be matched with a current volunteer for on-the-job training.?Greatest need is during winter and summer months.

SACRED HEART PARISH

Phone: (574) 631-4139

Website: www.nd.edu/~sacheart


Volunteers: We have a variety of opportunities for volunteers to work with the elderly. These include the following:

  • Parish Nurse Program: Volunteer opportunities for Saint Mary's Nursing students to gain clinical experience.
  • Friendly Visitors: This ministry involves visiting the homebound. We have many people in our parish who cannot leave the confines of their homes. The Friendly Visitor connects them with the parish community. All that is needed for this program is a caring heart, the ability to listen, and 2-4 hours every six weeks for visits.
  • Respite Care: Volunteers provide companionship to the homebound loved one for a few hours each week so the family caregiver can be refreshed in spirit. The program requires that each volunteer attend a six-hour training session sponsored by the National Council of Catholic Women (NCCW).
  • Eucharistic Ministers to the Homebound and Sick: Two teams of Eucharistic Ministers take the Eucharist to the homebound of our parish on Sunday. Eucharistic Ministers are assigned usually once a month and communion rounds can take 2-4 hours, depending on the number of homebound needing visits.