GUIDELINE FOR VOLUNTEER

Code of Ethics

• All information pertinent to an individual and obtained either from that person, from relatives, professionals or organizations must be kept in strict confidence  (the only exception is that you must tell the YD. anything which you feel may endanger the seniors well-being).
• Every person, as a human being, represents an absolute value in  him/herself and must be appreciated for what he or she is regardless of culture, race, age, mental or physical abilities, socioeconomic status, etc.
• All relationships, between client and volunteer, must be based on mutual trust, honesty, loyalty and respect.
• Volunteers must acknowledge and respect the Yellow Doors mission and goals.
• Volunteers are never to provide a service under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
• Volunteers are not to establish any economic ties with the client nor accept any remuneration from the client.
• Volunteers must abide by all laws and guidelines of the Yellow Door while with a client.
  
   

Guideline for Friendly Visits

• Once you have been matched with a senior, call and make an appointment. Be flexible about time and visit during the day. Make sure to call your client just before each visit.
• Identify yourself as a Yellow Door visitor. You must call the Yellow Door after your first visit, to let the coordinator know how everything went.
• In some cases you may have to speak a little louder and clearer than normal, and be prepared to repeat yourself. Make sure that you have both understood the visiting arrangements.
• Always let the client know of any changes. If you have to change your plans or know that you will be late contact the elderly person.
• Do not give the person your own phone number, we strongly suggest to give the Yellow Doors telephone number.
• The visit should last two hours.
• You should be prepared to render services such as shopping, banking, etc., but do not spend all your visit doing only that. You are not expected to do general cleaning, cooking, dressing, bathing, etc.
• Many of our clients receive such services as nursing and homemaking from other agencies. The Yellow Door maintains regular contact with such agencies. Be observant. If you notice any change in your clients behavior or environment, call the Yellow Door, not the other agency. We will do this if it should be necessary. You are not to contact any agency without first notifying the Yellow Door.
• Feel free to drop by the office or phone us at any time to chat about your visits. If you wish, you may keep a brief log of your visits by recording the dates and some comments on the nature of the visit.
• It is your responsibility to inform the Yellow Door, as well as the elderly person, if for any reason you should decide to terminate your friendly visiting.
• As a Yellow Door volunteer, you should REFUSE ANY PAYMENT FOR YOUR SERVICE. If however the client insists on giving money to the Yellow Door accept it as a contribution to our organization, and we will issuea tax receipt. Please note that any information that you give us about the person you are visiting or about how the visits are going, will remain confidential.
   

Suggestions for Friendly Visits

• Be a friend and companion by helping the person realize that you care for him/her

• Remember that lonely people need someone to talk to and confide in, so be a GOOD LISTENER.

• Try to help seniors revive latent talents and interests by involving them in activities.

• Be conscious of seniors concerns. Give them space to express their feelings even if they repeat themselves.

• Be dependable and try not to make a promise which you cannot keep.

• Treat seniors as adults by helping them recognize the value of their experience and maturity.

• Visit regularly, once a week.

• If you are experiencing conflict in your friendship with the senior, please call the coordinator immediately.

• Try to develop creative interests such as indoor gardening, crafts, painting, drawing, singing, playing music, cooking or baking.

• Playing games like chess, checkers, cards, puzzles can be a pleasant activity.

• Going for a short walk around the block or going out for a cup of coffee or tea to the nearest café is yet another welcomed event.

• Assisting with forms, e.g. Medicare; assisting to arrange a personal or medical appointment is often very appreciated.

• "Show-n-Tell" where you bring a newspaper, magazine articles, or photographs to show the senior and discuss, can prove a good conversation stimulator
  
  
   

Guidelines for Accompaniments

• The Yellow Door will give you the name, address and phone as well as the time of the appointment and the approximate length of the accompaniment. We will also make sure that you have information about the mode of transportation and any special instructions about the patient’s condition.
• You must call the elderly person to confirm the arrangement the day before the appointment. If you are told that he/she is particularly forgetful or confused, call just before leaving to remind him/her.
• Most people take taxis to their appointments which they pay for themselves.Occasionally they will be provided with taxi tickets by the CLSC, in which case you should call one of the taxi companies indicated on the ticket. The person may need help in filling out the ticket.
• If a minibus or taxi has been assigned for adapted transport, you will be informed of it. In this case, the client and the volunteer pay with bus ticket or bus pass. You are NOT expected to pay the client’s transport costs. If for any reason you end up paying the taxi fare, please ask for a receipt. You will need this receipt to be reimbursed by the Yellow Door.
• As a general rule, arrive at the clients home or apartment at the time given to you by the Yellow Door, (usually half an hour before the appointment). If the client is not home call the Yellow Door.
• Make sure the client has his or her hospital card, Medicare card, taxi tickets or any referral letter from the CLSC nurse.
• The elderly may have mobility problems or may be anxious about going to appointments. We will make sure you are aware of any such problem.
• Make note of any follow-up appointment which the client may be given and inform us. Call us after the accompaniment if you had any problems.
• If a client offers you any money for the service, inform him/her that the service is free. IT IS OUR POLICY NOT TO ACCEPT PAYMENT FOR OUR SERVICES. If, however, the client insists on giving money to the Yellow Door accept it as a contribution to our organization, and we will issue a tax receipt. Please note that any information that you give us about the person you are visiting or about how the visits are going, will remain confidential.
• Volunteers are not obligated to spend time with clients beyond the requirements of the accompaniment. This is left to your own discretion.
   

Guideline for Friendly Favours

• The Yellow Door will give you  the name, address, and phone number of the elderly person as well as the time of the friendly favour. We will also have information about any special instructions about the patient's condition.

• You must call the elderly person to confirm the arrangement the day before the appointment. If you are told that he/she is particularly, forgetful or confused, call just before leaving to remind him/her.

• Usually, you would go first to the client's home to receive specific instructions, shopping lists, money for shopping, etc.

• Make sure that you have clearly understood all instructions, especially if you will be shopping.  Ask about specific prices, sizes, brands, etc. of the items which you are expected to buy. Ask to see samples from the client's cupboard or refrigerator, if possible.

• Confirm with the client before leaving that you have the correct amount of money for shopping.  If you find while shopping that you were not given enough money, call the client first and arrange either A) to put some items back, or B) to pay out of your own pocket and be reimbursed by the client immediately afterwards Do not assume, without first speaking to the client, that you will be reimbursed!

• Always try to carry a quarter, in case some unforeseen problem arises and you need to call the client.

• If a client offers you any money, inform him/her that the service is free. As  a Yellow Door volunteer,  you should REFUSE ANY PAYMENT FOR YOUR SERVICE. If however , the client insists on giving money to the Yellow Door , accept it as a contribution, and we will issue a tax receipt
  
   

Benefits of Volunteering

Over and above the individual satisfactions gained and friendships found in the volunteer experience, the Yellow Door program offers a unique opportunity to acquire professional and educational experience for those interested in health-related fields and gerontology. Some of the many benefits derived from working with our clients are as follows:

• Personal Growth
• Development of communication and interpersonal skills
• Chance to meet interesting individuals
• Opportunity to practice different languages
• Letter of reference and benefits to Curriculum Vitae
• Training sessions on senior’s issues such as safety, Medicare, health etc.

Expectation for Volunteers

Volunteers make a difference! Your commitment to the Yellow Door Elderly Project means that you must be:

• DEPENDABLE: Attend orientation and training sessions and inform the coordinator when you are unable to complete an assignment or when you can no longer be a volunteer.
• KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT YOUR VOLUNTEER ROLE: Understand the responsibilities that are or are not part of your role and question anything that is not clear.
• DISCREET IN WORKING WITH CLIENTS: Always maintain confidentiality regarding personal information.
• COMMUNICATING WITH THE COORDINATOR: Report regularly, ask questions, and speak about any concerns you may have.
• AVAILABLE: Volunteer for no less than four months.
• ENTHUSIASTIC: A motivated volunteer is our best public relations tool. We count on you!
  
   

Rights of Volunteers

Volunteers have the right to expect from Yellow Door staff:

• The offer of support, resources and structures to volunteers
• Clear indication to volunteers to whom they report
• The offer to volunteers of suitable training for the job assigned. The offer of  regular ongoing training allowing volunteers to update their knowledge of tasks expected of them
• The offer of regular feedback to volunteers on their work
• Attentiveness to what volunteers have to say
• The demonstration of appropriate and tangible recognition of volunteer effort
• The furnishing of a precise job description to volunteers, stating tasks,  responsibilities, and role in the organization
• The offer to volunteers of any other information which may concern them
• The furnishing of proper supervision if needed.
  
  

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Mandated Territory

The mandated area of the Yellow Door Elderly Project is bounded by Atwater Avenue on the west, extends to St. Denis Street on the east; Mont-Royal to the north and finally ends at Boulevard Rene-Levesque on the south.

 

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