Helping Hands at Home

Description

Helping Hands at Home is a volunteer programme which supports older people to remain living at home independently and to improve their quality of life in a number of ways: -Practical help & support with housekeeping -Reducing isolation through befriending -Information & Advocacy as needed One of the main hurdles to independent living is the risk of loneliness or isolation: a particular problem at older ages, when decreasing economic resources, mobility impairment and the death of contemporaries conspire to limit social contact

Aim of Initiative

The initiative is aimed at older people living alone, who may not have the family support they need to continue to maintain their home and social interactions

Who is it aimed at

The initiative is aimed at older people living alone, who may not have the family support they need to continue to maintain their home and social interactions

Steps critical to success

1. Identifying committed volunteers
2. matching volunteers and clients appropriately
3. training volunteers to respond to issues and refer appropriately

Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. matching volunteers and clients well to facilitate relationship building
2. recruiting volunteers who have the time to commit to a long term role
3. Covid restrictions forced us to pause visits

Outcomes / Benefits

1. Older people have help to maintain their home as needed
2. Older people maintain positive social contact
3. Older people have access to information and connection to services