by Stefanie Wadsworth
TC News staff
Completing the three-part series concerning volunteer opportunities and trends among college students, this article discusses some area organizations that are meeting the needs of the elderly. The Oct. 7 issue discussed organizations that invest in children; the Oct. 28 issue concerned opportunities where adults can help other adults and this article will highlight organizations that offer younger generations the chance to thank their elders.
This article will concentrate on a few of the 40 senior citizen organizations registered with Texarkana’s Volunteer Center.
Discovering concerns and problems…
“We want people who have no one to have someone who cares,” Nita Fran Hutcheson, senior services coordinator-Regional Staff Ombudsman, said. “Maybe their family lives elsewhere or perhaps they’re the last of their line.”
Since her five year employment with the agency began, Hutcheson does not recall having any college students volunteer. “I’d particularly love to have those in the social service fields or anyone interested in human behavior.”
If interested in becoming an ombudsman, one that investigates complaints and assists in achieving fair settlements, contact Hutcheson at the Area Agency on Aging’s Nursing Home Ombudsman Program and she will set up a three-month local internship. Then, if the volunteer wants to pursue being a voice for one who may have no other communication with the outside world, he or she will follow with eight hours of training that can be completed over a period of time.
“Following training, we ask for only two hours per week in a facility,” she continued. “It’s not difficult. We just want you to look out for residents’ rights.”
If any serious problems are discovered by an ombudsman, they are reported to Hutcheson.
Volunteer opportunities with this organization are not limited to the Texarkana area. “I have no one in Bogota, New Boston or Linden. Students could do it on their home turf,” she said.
For more information, see the listings box on this page.
The Ark-La-Tex Home Hospice Care’s purpose is to keep senior citizens comfortable and happy within their home, according to Donna Amaral, volunteer coordinator.
“Personally, I have’t thought about college students as volunteers,” the two-year Hospice worker said. “I just figured they didn’t have the time.
“College students would be great! Since most of my volunteers are older, younger people could do a number or more physical tasks.”
Volunteers must complete a 30-hour training course which familiarizes them with the Hospice concept, “Team Plan of Care.”
“We do give training credit for on-the-job time, but we like volunteers to complete the course because they will receive all the information needed to deal with patients, showing them confidentially and respect.”
For more information on the Ark-La-Tex Home Hospice Care program, see the listing box on this page.
The elderly have made the community what it is today. Many are forgotten and rarely do they receive the thanks they deserve. Giving time is a way to thank them for what this area is today.
As medical technology advances, so do life expectancies. If today’s elderly are shown concern, then future generations will in turn show their elderly concern.
This article concludes the three-part series concerning volunteer trends among college students. Volunteer coordinators have expressed varying opinions as to why few college students give time.
College classes are demanding and work schedules are a tight fit; however, don’t students have a couple of hours to share? Each organization discussed in this series has expressed flexibility in the times students could help.
Time given to children, fellow adults or senior citizens not only helps that individual, but also offers students experience found in no textbook.