Volunteer To Sit With Elderly Patients At New Brunswick Hospital

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital is seeking volunteers to support its newly launched Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP).

HELP is a patient care program that provides extra attention and care to older adults admitted to the hospital. The program provides volunteers with a hands-on experience that involves direct patient contact. The goals of the program are:

• To maintain physical and cognitive functioning throughout hospitalization
• To prevent delirium during hospitalization
• To maximize independence at discharge

Volunteers are trained to assist in interventions such as:
• Patient orientation
• Therapeutic activities
• Early mobilization
• Relaxation exercises
• Feeding assistance and fluid repletion
• Sleep enhancement

Whether it’s reading the newspaper together, engaging in conversation, providing company during a meal or taking walks, volunteers can make a real impact in the mental, social and physical health of elderly patients.

Volunteer requirements are:

• 18 years or older
• Minimum of one 4-hour shift per week
• Commitment to 6 months of volunteering
• Training (flexible schedule available)
• 4 hours of classroom education
• 16 hours of shadowing/unit training
• Must complete hospital volunteer requirements
• Must be reliable and be interested in helping others

For more information about the HELP program at RWJUH, Geriatric Coordinator Dhyana Velez at 732-413-7419 or e-mail: Dhyana.Velez@rwjbh.org