About Jewish Family Services

JFS delivers a continuum of social services to individuals and families of all ages and stages of life, supporting them to live healthy and productive lives. The JFS Seniors Department provides a wide range of services, including information and referral to community resources, advocacy, financial assistance, as well as seniors programming.

Commitment

JFS is committed to providing excellent service to all of its seniors. Within this program, we complete a basic assessment of seniors requesting help, and a thorough screening and orientation of the Better at Home Volunteers. Our goal is to create a match that is mutually beneficial and satisfying.

What is Better at Home?

Better at Home is a program designed to help seniors live independently in their homes by providing affordable non-medical support services. This is a provincial program, with 68 sites in BC, including eight sites in neighborhoods throughout Vancouver. The program is funded by the Government of British Columbia, managed by United Way of the Lower Mainland, and delivered by local non-profit agencies. KOM Better at Home is delivered by Jewish Family Services (JFS).

KOM Better at Home offers light housekeeping (provided by paid staff), transportation to appointments (provided by volunteers), assistance with grocery shopping (provided by volunteers) and volunteer visiting (provided by volunteers). Light Housekeeping and transportation fees are on a sliding scale based on income, with those below a certain income eligible for free services. There is no charge to seniors for grocery shopping and volunteer visiting.

About the position

Goal of Position: To provide assistance for seniors who may be experiencing isolation, mobility or transportation challenges, mental or physical health issues, or injuries, contributing to their ability to remain living independently in their homes and stay connected to their communities.

Primary Duties: Provide seniors with door-to-door transportation to and from medical or non- medical appointments. Volunteers also act as frontline eyes and ears to identify seniors that may require further assistance. Please speak to the program coordinator if you have any concerns about a senior you are working with.

Reports to: Better at Home Coordinator Requirements: Criminal record check + Reference Check + Confidentiality form

Time Commitment: 4-8 hours a month (or more if you like)

Scheduling: Flexible, according to volunteer availability

Process of Matching: The Better at Home Coordinator will gather as complete a picture as possible of each senior’s situation and request for assistance. She will make the most effective match with a volunteer, given considerations of availability, geography, language preference, and unique skills needed. A volunteer has the choice to accept or refuse a volunteer assignment.

Attributes

• Genuine interest and enjoyment in spending time with older adults
• Non-judgmental, respect and acceptance of a variety of beliefs, values, and lifestyles
• Honest, dependable, calm, empathetic
• Ability to communicate effectively in English
• Safe driving skills