Assistant (elderly)

COMMUNITY PARTNER

East Valley Adult Resources, Inc.

ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP

Duties

Mesa Active Adult Center

Training sessions and direct service as follows:
   
I.    Introduction to a senior center   (TOTAL 4 hours)
History:
•    The first senior center and the founding principles used to establish it Older American Act and monies:
•    Journey from Washington DC to states to senior centers
Current:
•    Function of Area Agencies on Aging
•    How non profits differ from city controlled centers and how and why  centers are important to their communities The structure and operation procedures for EVSS
•    Includes funding, Board of Directors, committee structure, staffing, programs and program selections and food services

II.    Introduction to Outreach Program (TOTAL 2  hours)
Working with Outreach staff : (TOTAL up to 24 hours)
•    Client intake education and assistance
•    On-site/walk-in client assistance
•    Observation and assistance with Home Visit’s/Meals While You Heal
•    Personally (under direction of Outreach staff) develop an service plan for an individual/and or couple involved in the program 

III.    Introduction to Home Delivered Meals  (TOTAL 2 hours)
Working with Home Delivered Meals staff:  (TOTAL up to 24 hours)
•    Assist with counting route trays, food temperatures, dish-up and ‘packing out’  
•    Assist in meal deliveries
•    Understand how participants are incorporated into the different meal program options, the intake process, how case management is involved, the paper work that follows each meal participant and billing.

IV.    Introduction to Programs  (TOTAL 2 hours)
Working with Programs (TOTAL up to 35 hours)
•    Assist at Program Counter with participant registration/memberships, class registrations, answering questions, meal tickets, Dial-A-Ride vouchers, etc.
•    Assist in planning and conducting a Volunteer Meeting
•    Assist in planning and conducting an Advisory Meeting
•    Spend time working in food service in the Congregate Meals Program
•    With staff assistance, plan, research and develop a one hour class and then teach the class or arrange for a speaker to provide the information.  This includes advertising, class hand-outs, class evaluations, etc.

V.    Project Conclusion (TOTAL 5 hours)
Using the information the student(s) has learned… research, discuss and develop a scenario for:
•    What senior centers and aging services might be like in the future and define the population that most likely would be utilizing their services
   
VI.    Present your deductions, conclusions and suggestions to staff  (TOTAL 2 hours)    

VII.    TOTAL PROJECT HOURS:  up to 100

Population served

East Valley Adult Resources serves persons from age 50 on.  Currently the average age of the Active Adult Center participant is 75 years.  There are hundreds of persons utilizing the Centers daily.

Community need/impact

The population of older adults is growing at a rapid pace.  New and innovative programs and services must be developed and implemented. How to engage boomers?; How to serve the needs of the frailer older adult?; How to age successfully? are all areas that can help us define the community need.

East Valley Adult Resources provides programs and services to 2,000 persons every day through a wide array of special interest classes, health/wellness activities, etc.  In addition there are several home and community based care services provided to frailer older adults in their homes.