Member Care & Wellness Visits
This guide outlines essential standards for volunteers conducting home or hospital wellness visits with elderly community members. Our goal is to bring comfort, respect, and warm connection while protecting and safety of everyone involved.
1. Preparation & Respecting Privacy
• Always Confirm Before Visiting: Never show up unannounced. Ensure a designated team leader or board member has confirmed the visit date and time with the family or recipient beforehand.
• Respect Health & Privacy (Confidentiality): You may see or learn private details about a member's health, living conditions, or family situation. Keep all personal details strictly confidential within the care team.
• Cultural Respect & Etiquette: Greet elders with traditional warmth and respect. Follow customary cultural gestures (such as appropriate greetings, removing shoes at the entrance if customary, and using respectful titles).
2. Health & Physical Safety
• Stay Home If Unwell: If you are feeling unwell, notify your team lead and reschedule immediately. Elders are often vulnerable to infection.
• Practice Good Hygiene: Wash or sanitize your hands before entering the home or hospital room and after handing over care baskets.
• Hospital & Facility Rules: Follow all visitor guidelines, mask requirements, and visiting hours posted by hospitals or care facilities.
• The Two-Volunteer Rule: Home visits must always be conducted in pairs (e.g., pairing an adult/board member with a youth volunteer, or two adult volunteers). Never conduct a home visit alone,
3. During the Visit
• Keep Visits Modest in Length: Keep visits warm but brief - typically 15 to 30 minutes- unless the family explicitly invites you to stay longer. Visiting can be tiring for someone recovering or unwell.
• Be an Active Listener: Focus on listening, offering encouragement, and sharing kind conversation avoid offering medical advice or diagnosing health conditions.
• Mindful Photography: Do not take photos or videos inside a home or hospital room unless the member or family explicity requests it and gives permission. Never post photos on personal social media without prior organization approval.
4. After the Visit
• Report Back to the Care Lead: Briefly notify your team or board contact that the visit was completed successfully.
• Flag Immediate Needs: If you notice that an elder requires urgent assistance, food, or medical attention, inform the team lead immediately so the organization or family can coordinate proper care.