Looking to Support Family Caregivers in your Community? Become a Care Partner Support Volunteer!

A Care Partner Support Volunteer is a compassionate, empathetic individual who wants to give back to family caregivers in their area in a meaningful way. Volunteers will be matched with caregivers who are enrolled in our Family Caregiver Support Program (FCSP) and will provide skills support, emotional support, resource navigation, and respite to ease caregiver burden and improve education and quality of care for care partnerships using skills learned in Positive Approach to Care (PAC) training sessions.

Volunteers will be responsible for:

• Supporting individuals who are living with dementia by focusing on their abilities and creating meaningful experiences that enhance their quality of life, and the lives of the people who are supporting them.
• Completing 10-12 hours of program specific training prior to volunteering
• Weekly or every other week visits to caregiver’s homes to provide direct support
• Possible respite care support when appropriate
• Attending monthly Volunteer Corp check-in meetings
• Submitting documentation of support phone calls and visits
• Providing phone call support to family caregivers whom they are partnered with
• Assisting family caregivers with finding services and supports
• Educating and encouraging family caregivers
• Communicating with FCSP staff as needed

Recommended Experience and Knowledge:

• An interest in supporting individuals who are living with dementia along with the people who are caring for them
• Lived experience as the family caregiver of a person who is living with dementia
• Experience as a service provider in areas such as health promotion, caregiving, and long-term care
• Desire to advocate for the interests of older individuals from diverse backgrounds
• Knowledge of local programs and services
• Comfortable with meeting and working in caregiver's homes
• Proficiency with email and basic computer skills

Time Commitment:

• At least 1 year commitment to the program and training
• 2-4 hours per month, possibility of more hours depending on caregiver need

Many Family Caregivers also face cultural and linguistic barriers which prevent them from accessing support and services that could assist them and the loved ones they care for. We are looking for bilingual Care Partner Support Volunteers who speak English, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole.

Continued education, training, and year-round support is available to all volunteers throughout their service.