Volunteers are an essential part of the aged care system, providing much-needed companionship and support to combat social isolation and loneliness among older people in Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs).
Volunteer numbers fell dramatically during the height of COVID-19, with more than 70 per cent of volunteers unable to assist because of visitor restrictions to protect older Australians.
To address the decline in volunteers, the Re-engaging Volunteers into Residential Aged Care Facilities program is inviting both experienced and new volunteers to experience the satisfaction of giving back to the community.
Volunteers are not intended to replace existing staff and volunteering roles will be limited to non-direct care support roles including companionship and assisting with leisure activities.
Volunteers will be matched with one of the hundreds of facilities that have registered for the program, which will run until August. Volunteers will need to:
- Complete a short online training session (at no cost),
- Pass a police check, and
- Show proof of COVID-19 and flu vaccination as relevant.
Public health guidance is now encouraging increased visits for residents in residential aged care, welcoming South Australians and Territorians to come back and experience the sense of community that volunteering provides.
CEO of Volunteering SA&NT Hamilton Calder says volunteering is a highly valuable initiative that makes a real difference in the lives of residents of aged care facilities.
“The program is an important initiative to reinvigorate volunteering in aged care. Volunteering has always been a vital part of the non-clinical care in aged care facilities, with data clearly showing that a sense of social engagement and companionship has a meaningful impact on the quality of life and mental wellbeing of our most vulnerable citizens,” says Mr Calder.
“Volunteer programs only ever seek to complement, not replicate or replace, the functions of a paid professional workforce. They provide assistance, companionship and support to residents, which is essential to their wellbeing.”
“The volunteers we are calling for won’t replace paid workers in hands-on care roles, but will instead provide vital companionship and social connection through conversations, games and outings, in a time when connection has been hampered,” says Mr Calder.
“Volunteering has a vital role in aged care and we welcome this program as key part of the holistic care our most important citizens deserve.”
Australia’s volunteering peak bodies are committed to making the volunteering process as easy as possible, offering all the necessary training and paperwork, and matching each volunteer with the most appropriate aged care facility.
The Re-engaging Volunteers into Residential Aged Care Facilities program is funded by the Department of Health.
Anyone interested in the program can register at https://www.agedcarevolunteering.org.au/
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