Does volunteering in a senior day center at a hospital count as clinical volunteering?
The members have cognitive impairments. I've been volunteering at two centres: one for moderate-severe members and the other for mild impairments. The problem is that they're not referred to as patients.
Should I find another role for clinical experience? Or should I complete the entire year here?
The members have cognitive impairments. I've been volunteering at two centres: one for moderate-severe members and the other for mild impairments. The problem is that they're not referred to as patients.
Services and Activities
The Day Centre offers a variety of services and supports to promote independence, provide stimulation and to encourage social interaction. These include:
Day Centre #1
Serves older adults with physical frailty, as well as seniors with mild cognitive impairment. This program provides stimulation and a renewed sense of independence for isolated or lonely community dwelling older adults.
Day Centre #2
Serves older adults with moderate to severe cognitive impairment in a secure environment. In partnership with the Brain Health Centre Clinics, it also provides specialized programs and environmental support to meet the individual needs of those living in the community with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) or frontal lobe disturbance. The FTD program includes behaviour management techniques and clinical rounds with a medical team.
The Day Centre offers a variety of services and supports to promote independence, provide stimulation and to encourage social interaction. These include:
- Escorted round-trip, door-to-door transportation within a large catchment area
- Diet-controlled, full-course, hot, kosher lunch and snacks served by program staff
- Comprehensive multi-lingual psychosocial, physical, cultural and spiritual activities designed and implemented by the Therapeutic Recreation team
- Creative arts program with opportunity for artistic expression designed and implemented by the Creative Arts Specialist
- Counselling, support , case management, and education for clients and their families provided by Social Workers
- Health promotion and disease prevention activities delivered by Nursing
- Medication administration provided by Nursing
- Eating assistance and toileting provided by Program Aides
- Access to (hospital's name) services including ambulatory clinics, Seniors Counselling and Referral, Seniors Support Program, Psychiatry program and Brain Health Centre
- Respite for caregivers
Day Centre #1
Serves older adults with physical frailty, as well as seniors with mild cognitive impairment. This program provides stimulation and a renewed sense of independence for isolated or lonely community dwelling older adults.
Day Centre #2
Serves older adults with moderate to severe cognitive impairment in a secure environment. In partnership with the Brain Health Centre Clinics, it also provides specialized programs and environmental support to meet the individual needs of those living in the community with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) or frontal lobe disturbance. The FTD program includes behaviour management techniques and clinical rounds with a medical team.
Should I find another role for clinical experience? Or should I complete the entire year here?
