Supervising "aging-in-place" volunteers

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Abstract

Loyalty to a volunteer who has contributed many hours to a program but is "aging in place" means finding ways to balance his or her level of activity and function with the best interests of everyone. This effective pratice offers tips for supervising these volunteers and is excerpted from the book, What we Learned (the Hard Way) about Supervising Volunteers. The excerpt appeared on the Energize, Inc. website in May 2005.

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Issue

The aging in place volunteer is someone who joined your organization or program when she/he was younger and fit, but has grown older and now has diminished capacity.

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Action

Tips for supervising volunteers who are "aging in place" include:

  • Know the volunteer's sight and hearing limits and give written material or oral instructions with this in mind.
  • Pay attention to signs of physical fatigue and talk with the volunteer about his/her strength and endurance.
  • When possible, pair these folks with younger volunteers. This way, the younger volunteers can help with support and oversight.
  • Insist on a rotation policy for everyone so that no volunteer becomes so entrenched in one assignment that it is impossible to make a change. Offer these volunteers an alternate assignment that makes use of long-time service, such as helping with new volunteer orientation — but only if he/she would be good at it.
  • Don't ignore a deteriorating situation. Sometimes starting a concerned, but caring conversation gives the volunteer the opening to admit to feeling insecure and less able to do the work he/she was formerly able to do.
  • Only when appropriate, consider involving the volunteer's grown children in approaching their parent about changing abilities, or even the family physician.

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Context

Older volunteers are an invaluable asset to national and community service programs. However, "senior" volunteers should be approached by level of activity, not just date of birth.

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Citation

Lee, Jarene Frances and Julia M. Catagnus, What we Learned (the Hard Way) about Supervising Volunteers. Energize, Inc., 1998.

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Outcome

Managing "aging in place" volunteers appropriately helps assure a safe, respectful environment for all.

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Posted On

November 28, 2005

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For More Information

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Related Practices

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Related sites

Energize, Inc.

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