Active Ageing & Wellness Approach Supporting Volunteers to take an Active Ageing & Wellness Approach

Learning Objectives Increase the level of understanding of the active ageing & wellness approach for staff who support volunteers Identify the benefits of volunteers taking an active ageing & wellness approach Increase knowledge & skills to implement key human resource processes Identify actions/next steps from the session Share good practice & promote partnership opportunities

Ideas to Implement an Active Ageing Approach: Grid RecruitmentTraining & Induction Supervision & SupportResources & Networks

Active Ageing “the process of optimising opportunities for physical, social and mental well being throughout the life course, in order to extend healthy life expectancy, productivity and quality of life in older age” World Health Organization 2002 What helps people to age well?

ASM Principles: Principle 1: People want to remain autonomous Principle 2: People have potential to improve their capacity Principle 3: People’s needs should be viewed in a holistic way Principle 4: Services should be organised around the person and family or carer; and should not be slotted into existing services Principle 5: A person’s needs are best met where there are strong partnerships and collaborative working relationships between the client, carer, service providers and organisations ASM Prepare, February 2010

Slavka Slavka is 78 She has diabetes and low vision She has lost a lot of confidence in her daily living skills Slavka used to love craft What would assist Slavka to age well?

Wellness Cycle Recognise Abilities Positive Expectations Opportunities for development Positive Experience Connections in the Community Positive Change

Benefits of the Wellness Approach What are the benefits of using a Wellness Approach for workers, clients and volunteers? How can we promote these benefits?

Disillusioned You over hear two volunteers talking “Now the client’s set up the craft area I don’t think I am needed anymore” How can you encourage this volunteer?

The Cost of Doing for……. Ivan starts to wipe down the tables after lunch The volunteer takes the cloth from Ivan & tells him to rest up What impact does this have on Ivan?

Barrier to using a Wellness Approach In small groups discuss: What stops volunteers using a wellness approach? What are the barriers to supporting volunteers to use a wellness approach?

Barriers to the ASM Approach Desire to help & do for the client Happy with their current helping role Resistance to change Feel the client is entitled to their help Ageist attitudes - over caring approach Reluctance to attend training Limited resources for training

Peer Panel Using implementation grid Write down key strategies/ resources used by the volunteer & coordinator

Promoting Wellness In small groups discuss: Identify strategies volunteers currently used to promote wellness What works well in supporting volunteers to take an active ageing approach?

Roles of the ASM Volunteer: Handout Four Role Model Observer Monitor Listener Facilitator Guide Encourager Enabler

Emotional Support- The Listener Peer support Active listening Supporting grief Validating concerns Empathy to move on Building confidence Positive role model

Eyes & Ears of the Team You notice Ben is really shaky on his legs today You wonder how he will continue to manage in his home

Sharing Strategies & Ideas: Networking Activity In small groups: Discuss strategies to support volunteers in the key area you are allocated Recruitment Training Supervision & support Resources

Ideas for Recruitment Style of advertising – active ageing Review & assess volunteer role Clearly define volunteer role & how it supports active ageing/ wellness Update position descriptions to reflect AA Interview questions to reflect Active Ageing Key selection criteria Assisting people to stay active, involved & independent

Purpose & Role of Volunteer “Volunteers help clients to stay active, connected and as independent as possible” “To assist people living in the community to maintain their independence ”

Interviewing Volunteers What is their motivation for volunteering Experience with older people to stay active & independent Their hopes for their relatives & themselves as they age

Training For Volunteers Incidental training at meetings Lunch & morning tea sessions Buddies & mentors on site training Active ageing articles in newsletters Case studies promoting active ageing Information sessions with allied health professionals Self reflection about own active ageing Role modelling & demonstration

Questions to promote active ageing What do volunteers think of as healthy and active ageing? What are some of the challenges people face as they age? How can you be mentally active as you age?

Supervision & Support Ongoing training for all volunteers Mentoring by staff & peers Appraisal process Evaluation of client outcomes Access to care plans Informal & formal procedures Recognition of good practice

Engaging & motivating Volunteers Encouraging volunteers in thinking about the ways they wish to age Engage volunteers in thinking about the benefits of staying active & independent Utilise current active ageing champions Role modelling ASM across the organisation Encouraging observation of positive changes in clients e.g. care plan

Activity: Capacity Building In small groups discuss the person given How can volunteers support this person to build their capacity In what ways can volunteers promote Competence – Safety & confidence Connectedness – To feel connected & involved Control – Be autonomous & independent

Ming Ling is a 75 year old woman from China She is very physically strong & likes tai chai Ling’s husband died 2 months ago She is very sad & lonely Ling is very good at trivia & used to love dancing

Edith Edith is 83. She is Jewish She has memory loss Edith is physically strong She has a supportive son She loves helping others Edith enjoys cooking but is not allowed to at home

George George is a 78 year old Greek man. He has Parkinson's disease George has lost confidence following a fall He used to have his own carpentry business but feels useless now

Capacity Building Volunteers can play an important role in capacity building by: Knowing when to stand back & monitor When to step forward to provide support Seeking advice from staff as needed