Background: Considerable attention is currently being directed towards both active ageing and the revising of standards for disability services within Australia and internationally. Yet, to date, no consideration appears to have been given to ways to promote active ageing among older adults with intellectual disabilities (IDs). Methods:…

Intended as a practical guide for the administrator in homes for the aging, this booklet provides direction on how to set up a volunteer program. Five steps in organizing a volunteer program are: (1) Launching a Volunteer Program, (2) Recruitment and Selection of Volunteers, (3) Orientation and Training Program (The Role and Function of a…

Describes the volunteer advocacy program developed by the East Tennessee Advocacy Assistance Program to assist the ombudsman/director in resolving problems of residents in long-term care facilities. Effective volunteer participation requires intensive training, well-defined policies and procedures, coordination with aging network and long-term…

Recruited families of residents of dementia unit of nursing home to lead programs and activities. Found family volunteers complemented staff efforts to provide a varied and enriched environment for the residents and volunteers felt the experience was an extension of their continuing involvement. (Author/ABL)

A survey of 754 older adults serving as ombudsmen in nursing facilities found that formal education and follow-up training enhanced efficacy. Negative initial training was the most important influence on diminished efficacy. Those with higher efficacy and more positive initial training expressed less worry. (SK)

This document describes a volunteer work project designed for nursing home and day-care center persons with minimal physical skills. Potential users of the project are cautioned to plan carefully for the host location where the project will be conducted, as the location must be easily accessible to older adults who may be handicapped and who may…

Describes an age-integrated program serving residents in long-term care facilities in New York State. Describes the program's inception, the nature of recruitment efforts, and the content of the training program. A number of illustrations of volunteer ombudsmen interventions are presented for the purpose of providing an overview of services.…

Assessed the relationship between the presence of Oregon volunteer long-term care ombudsmen and externally handled abuse complaints, survey reports, and regulatory sanctions. Found presence of ombudsmen was related to increased abuse reporting and abuse complaint substantiation, more survey deficiencies, and higher sanction activity. (JBJ)

In order to provide regular read-aloud programs in nursing homes, to mentally stimulate and enrich the institutionalized elderly, and to improve access to library materials and services a project, proposed by the Seattle Public Library, provided training for volunteers in read-aloud techniques, sensitivity to nursing home residents, and meeting…

This booklet explains to a prospective volunteer or other person who deals with the elderly their special needs in regard to human relationships and how to satisfy them. The necessity of reinforcing or restoring the older person's sense of worth and dignity is emphasized. Special hints are given for visiting the elderly in a group facility as…

A study reviewed materials on the elderly as volunteers and volunteer work with the elderly from five databases: Sociological Abstracts, PsychInfo, Health Planning and Administration, ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center), and the GPO (Government Printing Office) Monthly Catalog (government publications). Some of the findings of the…

Details a demonstration project which was developed to train older adult volunteers as mental health paraprofessionals for nursing homes. Discusses the effectiveness of the program for residents, as well as benefits to the staff. Includes details of recruitment, training and supervision of volunteers, services they provide, and problems…

Data was collected from ombudsmen (N=607) in nursing facilities about the factors that make their jobs difficult. Hypotheses about support, relationships with peers, and efficacy were tested. Support from facility administrators and residents contributed to efficacy, whereas help from other volunteers had a negative effect. Results point to the…

This bibliography of materials on the elderly as volunteers and volunteer work with the elderly was compiled from six databases: Sociological Abstracts, PsycInfo, Magazine Index, Health Planning and Administration, ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center), and the GPO (Government Printing Office) Monthly Catalog (government publications).…

This manual was developed by the staff of the Read Aloud Programs for the Elderly of the Seattle Public Library. It is based on a year's experience of conducting read-aloud programs in nursing homes and is meant to be a guide for setting up similar programs in other library systems. The first half of the manual, addressed to program managers,…