Make a Difference in the Lives of Care Center Residents

How rewarding would it be for you to enrich the lives of older adults living in long-term care facilities?  Volunteer Ombudsmen spend time visiting with elders; educating residents, their families, staff and the public about residents' rights; and helping improve the quality of life for residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The Ombudsman is an advocate for long term care residents, helping to maximize their quality of life.

You'll get a WONDERFUL training, including skills of conflict mediation,  provided by professionals in the aging field.  This is your chance to make a real difference in the lives of elders.  Contact Susan Damon - 303-441-1649, sdamon@bouldercounty.org for more information.

Gain a Friend, BE a Friend to an Elder!

There's a world of good feeling in the Respite Care Program in the Aging Services Division of Community Services!  You will be matched one-on-one with an older adult who lives alone or with a family caregiver.  During weekly two-hour visits, you provide friendship, reassurance, and companion-level assistance with activities such as reading, visiting and sharing interests.

You gain a wonderful new friend in return and learn a LOT from them!  If the older adult lives with a family caregiver, your visits enable the caregiver to take a much-needed break ("respite").  No medical caretaking is expected in this opportunity!  We're looking for both male and female volunteers in communities throughout the county.  Trainings occur approximately every 6-7 weeks at alternating county locations.  The next trainings will be June 3, 2008 (Niwot), July 31, 2008 (Boulder), September 10, 2008 (Longmont), October 21, 2008 (Niwot), and December 2, 2008 (Lafayette).  For more information or to volunteer, call Mary Jane Longanecker at 303-678-6286 or e-mail mjlonganecker@bouldercounty.org.

Help Low-Income Seniors Get Fit!

If you like to exercise and enjoy older adults, this is the position for you!  Seniors in low-income housing complexes in Louisville and Lafayette are looking for instructors to lead a weekly exercise class.  Classes are informal, fun and simple to lead.  Please call Kristin Durso at the Boulder County Housing Authority at 303-519-7152, or email her at kdurso@bouldercounty.org.