Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers have traditionally been the impetus for many of the programs offered through Social Work and Community Programs. Training is provided. Current volunteer opportunities are:
Advance Directives Peer Volunteer: These volunteers receive training to provide guidance to older adults and their families in completing durable power of attorney for medical decisions and living will documents.
Advisory Committee Members: Volunteers meet periodically with staff in each of the Social Work and Community Programs to provide feedback on patient/service experiences and to offer insight and suggestions for future activities and services; some volunteers assist with fundraising and development.
Friendly Visitor Service: Volunteers visit older persons in their homes for about one hour a week. Supervision is given by a staff social worker and there are opportunities to talk with other friendly visitors.
Hospital Elder Life Program: Volunteers are trained to work with older patients at University Hospital, assisting them with eating, recreation, relaxation and mobility, to prevent delirium and de-conditioning during the hospital stay.
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute: Opportunities include participation in curriculum, study group and travel committees, Board involvement, assistance with marketing and publicity, office support, etc.
Pharmacy Assistance: These volunteers meet weekly to do paperwork needed to help lower income patients apply for free medications through the pharmaceutical companies.
Silver Club Memory Loss Programs: Volunteers assist in the program activities at Silver Club, an adult day program for seniors with memory loss, or with the early stage programs.
Special Events: Volunteers help plan and/or conduct special events or presentations that would be sponsored by Social Work and Community Programs, such as health talks, flu clinics, jewelry sales and holiday events.
Turner Senior Resource Center: Volunteers are need to serve as front desk staff and greeters; computer teachers and mentors; program assistants, older adult resource and information specialists; TSRC Advisory Committee members; and members of the Art Gallery 55+ committee and other ad hoc committees.
Volunteers will register with the University of Michigan Health System’s volunteer services department. To inquire about volunteering, contact:
| Geriatrics Center Clinics Social Work Office | Barbara Zaret | (734) 998-9354 |
| Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at U-M | Ann Tai | (734) 998-9351 |
| Silver Club Memory Loss Programs | Barbra Link | (734) 998-9352 |
| Turner Senior Resource Center (TSRC) | Barbara Zaret | (734) 998-9354 |
| Hospital Elder Life Program | Alene Blomquist | (734) 936-5964 |
