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Information: Volunteers are a vital part of our agency mission at North Shore Elder Services. A friendly visitor who food shops for an elder is doing so much more than filling the pantry shelves. You'll understand when you stop by to pick up the shopping list and a client has on their Sunday best because your stopping by. You'll understand when you sit down to play checkers and reminisce with a client who gets misty-eyed telling you about their wedding day 60 years ago. You'll understand when an elder says thank you, holding your hand for a few extra moments. Join our volunteer program and make a direct difference in the daily life of an elder on the North Shore.
Support: Make a difference as a volunteer! Contact us by calling 978-750-4540 or by e-mailing volunteer@nselder.org.
Solutions:
At Your Side Medical Advocates (4 hours a week, flexibility important) - The mission of "At Your Side" is to help individuals and their families better understand their illnesses and to be another supportive voice in the healthcare of elders and other individuals in need. Training is professional and ongoing, as is team support.
- Ideal volunteer opportunity for medical professionals and social workers with flexible schedules, whether retired or working part-time.
- Also an excellent match for non-medical individuals or partners who have had experience guiding family members or friends through the medical system during a time of illness, be it acute or chronic.
- The training is top-notch and many talented professionals help with the ongoing educational piece of this program. Volunteers are supported by experienced advocates and group support is provided as well. This very special and in-demand volunteer role provides a wide-ranging educational experience as well as a richly meaningful way to spend free time and to "give back".
- A collaborative effort shared by three agencies: North Shore Elder Services,Inc. ~ The Independent Living Center of the North Shore and Cape Ann,Inc. ~ and SeniorCare,Inc..
Food Shopper for the Elderly (2 hours once a week or every other week) - Imagine being in your 80's or 90's, living at home alone, unable to get out to buy your essential groceries. Then contrast this with how easily you navigate the local grocery market, often several times a week. It isn't usually a fun task, but it takes on new meaning when you are picking up 3 or 4 small bags of very important items for a very frail elder and delivering them right to her or his kitchen table. If you can help put away the groceries and sit for a visit, then you've made an even bigger difference. Email or call soon to find out how you can help.
- For this volunteer job, you need to be reliable, have a cheerful attitude,and have daytime availability. Weekdays or weekends.
SHINE Health Benefits Counselor ~ (following training – 3 hours weekly) - SHINE stands for: "Serving Health Insurance Needs of the Elderly".
- SHINE volunteers are professionally trained to advise elders and caregivers about their health insurance options. Being well-versed in all aspects of Medicare and the many forms involved, these volunteers offer a free and much-needed service across Massachusetts. Comprehensive volunteer certification training(35 hours)is provided. Every day SHINE volunteers do such meaningful concrete work for the elderly by teaching the ins and outs of health insurance choices, relieving stress and making folks smile.
Money Manager ~ (approximately 2 to 3 hours monthly) - In order for our Money Management clients to remain living in their homes, they need monthly assistance balancing a checkbook and paying bills. A few hours a month is all it takes; the exact day and time can be flexible. This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone, even a very busy person, to help an elderly community member in a very important way. A short training and year-round professional support is provided.
- Right now we really need Money Management volunteers to help elders in the city of Lynn. If this sounds good to you, please give us a call or send along an email.
Transportation to medical appointments - Join our on-call list of volunteers who can drive elders to medical appointments in the North Shore area. We very much need to build a bigger list of volunteers, so that folks can get to their doctors and dentists when they need to. This is especially challenging during the busy holiday season and the rest of the winter months.
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Volunteer Opportunities
