Friendly Visiting (In Person)

Friendly Visiting is a volunteer-based program that provides friendship and social engagement for older adults through one-on-one relationships. Community members, families and case management programs identify and refer older adults to community-based Friendly Visiting Programs.  The programs recruit and screen volunteers and provide training and ongoing support to volunteers and clients to ensure engagements are rewarding to both parties. Volunteers visit older adults in their homes and/or visit on telephone and video calls for an hour per week.  Many relationships are sustained over many years and can provide ongoing companionship for both older adults and volunteers.

Goals

• To connect Older Adults who want increased social interaction with others in meaningful conversations and in-person visits.
• To provide more New Yorkers the ability to connect with an Older Adult.

Tasks:

• Make weekly in-person visits or calls (video or telephone) to a designated older adult on a specified time and day of the week.
• Provide a consistent presence in Older Adult’s life.
• Complete a weekly report, including date and length of visit, as well as any concerns that arose during the visit.
• Make oneself available for regular check-in calls with Program staff.

Skills Preferred:

• Genuinely want to make a difference in the life of an older adult.
• Conversational skills
• Able to set and maintain social boundaries.
• Time management skills and keeping to deadlines/commitments.

Training:

• Orientation on program policies and activity reporting requirements.
• Optional workshops on topics such as engagement strategies, grief and loss and other issues facing older adults.

Time Commitment:

• Volunteers serve any day of the week, for one hour each week.
• Hours are flexible to allow for a mutually convenient time for the volunteer and client to connect.
• Minimum 6-month commitment, longer period strongly encouraged (and many volunteers gladly continue commitment).

Requirements:

• Meet criminal background check and reference check requirements.
• Attend an Information Session, Interview and complete Orientation.
• Sign and adhere to program guidelines
• High level of Conscientiousness- able to commit to appointments, be on time and be consistent
• Possess compassion, patience, and empathy for older adults