St. Joseph's Continuing Care Centre

Objective: 

• To provide engaging and encouraging one to one opportunity that enhance overall wellbeing and quality of life

• To incorporate unique social, spiritual and emotional activities that alleviate and decrease isolation, depression and decline and reduce the desire to become withdrawn
• To provide sensory stimulation, enhance alertness, provide hand eye coordination activity to enhance opportunity for functional progress toward improvement
• To facilitate communication and encourage individualized-expression in daily activities
• To be offered supportive opportunities to be out, and active with others in a therapeutic, motivated, and healing environment

• To engage in a calm and relaxing environment that helps to decrease anxiety and reduce agitation

• To support and encourage patients in reaching their personal wellness goals toward meeting a safe and happy discharge

Procedure/Description:

1). At the time of shift start, the volunteer will:

a). i. Sign in the log book (1^st Floor Nursing Station), (3^rd floor - Clarion)

     ii. Sign in Better Impact (username ex: Anita Walk1   password: Anita Walk1)

b). Grab a patient list. Write your name on the sheet.   

c). Take the list with you. Highlight or check off the patients you visit and circle the activity that you and the patient did.

c). Return the patient list back to binder for Therapists to review which patients were seeing and completed activities.

2). The volunteer will report to nursing staff immediately if any unusual changes to mood, behaviour, etc., as needed. 

3). If you have any concerns please contact, Alison Antonio, Volunteer Coordinator, aantonio@sjsudbury.com Volunteer Coordinator will follow through with routine performance check-ins, provided continued education as needed, and will always provide guidance to volunteers, anytime. 

Risk Management:   Low Risk

            The risk may be low however, yours and the patients’ safety is our number 1 priority.

• Always use the assigned mobility equipment when ambulating with a patient
• If leaving the floor with a patient, you MUST sign the patient out in the log book on the nursing desk

Some activities may include:

• Reading or looking through magazines and books; offer assistance to locate additional reading materials around floor
• *Creative art activities and projects as specified by referral
• *Montessori style activities such as matching, sorting, folding, etc. as specified by referral
• Assisting with their personal technology as per patient needs
• Assist patient to social visits with other patients
• Playing cards and board games (games can be found in activity cupboard on 2^nd floor and bookcase on 1^st floor SBR, and at the Clarion is room 318 and room 418.
• Go on social walks, including indoor and outdoors - weather permitting
• Watering indoor plants throughout facility
• Going to the Healing Garden, this may include light gardening (watering, weeding)
• Looking at photographs, reflecting on life stories and memories
• Providing assistance with the organization of patient’s room (patient might be a new admission and hasn’t unpacked yet due to mobility limitations or discouragement)
• Escorting and companionship to Spiritual and religious care services, or providing 1:1 spiritual support
• Accompanying patients to various activities within the site (for designated activities times, talk to the Volunteer Coordinator)

SBR

*Any activities that require specific items based on referral will be located in 1^st floor activity storage room (room 108, code is 1520*) and identified with patient’s room number and initials.

A communication book will be located in the storage room, please let the Recreation Therapists know when supplies/ prizes are low/ needed, or any feedback regarding activities. They are here to help you and the patients have fun!

CLARION

** activities are in activity room or in patient rooms.

There are tables located throughout facility, including dining rooms that may be used for activities. Activity room for Clarion.

Volunteers do;

-Knock and greet patients upon entering and greeting,

-Notify registered staff immediately if there are any significant unusual changes observed including a patient’s cognitive, responsive, behavioural, physical or other significant change observed regarding health status of the patient,

-Upon returning a patient to their room, place the call bell within easily accessible reach,

-If leaving the floor for any reason (such as a walk off the unit), please sign the patient out at the Unit Assistant (central nursing station) desk. 

-Return any identifier notes such as sticky notes with patient names and room numbers back to the binder before signing out for the day.

-Leave the Volunteer Referral list with your name on it in the binder for the therapists to review what activities the patients completed this week.

Volunteers do not;

-Administer any internal feeding, or medications,

-Transfer, lift, reposition, change or physically move a patient,

-Use brakes or any other forms of restraints at any time on wheelchairs.

-Do laundry for patients. Volunteers may assist a patient if the patient has no family or friend for support and the patient is looking for assistance through this activity in order to regain strength to accomplish this Activity of Daily Living independently. A referral should be completed by Occupation Therapy.

If assistance is required at any time, please notify

registered staff and/or the Volunteer Coordinator

Thank you!