Volunteer Opportunities at the Geriatrics Center

The Geriatrics Center has trained and supported a large volunteer force since its opening. Our volunteers have traditionally been the impetus for many of the programs that the Geriatrics Center offers. We offer training sessions for volunteers every other year and also train volunteers individually if they wish to begin in the interim. The current volunteer opportunities are:

• Peer Counselor/Friendly Visitor - volunteers visit an older person in his or her home for about one hour a week. Supervision is given by a staff social worker and opportunities to talk with other friendly visitors are given.
• Silver Club Adult Day Care- volunteers assist in the program activities at Silver Club, and adult day program for seniors with memory loss.
• Pharmacy Assistance - these volunteers come in weekly and do paperwork needed to help our low income patients apply for free medications through the pharmaceutical companies.
• Event planner - this position would involve planning events or presentations that would be sponsored by the clinic, such as health talks.
• Special Event Volunteers - this volunteer would help with large or special events like the flu clinic, health fairs, picnic, and jewelry sale.
• Elder Life Program- Elder Life volunteers are trained to work with older patients at University Hospital , assisting them with feeding, recreation, relaxation and mobility, to prevent delirium and de-conditioning during the hospital stay.
• Advance Directives Peer volunteers- These volunteers receive training to provide guidance to older adults and their families in completing durable power of attorney for medical decision and living will documents.
• Participating in Research Studies

All of our volunteers are registered with the University of Michigan Health System 's volunteer services department.

To inquire about volunteering at the Geriatrics Center, please contact Mary Rumman at (734) 764-2556.