Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP)

• About HELP
• Program Goals
• Unique Volunteer Opportunity
• Volunteer Requirements
• For More Information

 

About HELP

The Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) is an innovative approach to protect older patients from declining physically and mentally while they are hospitalized.

Geriatricians, a geriatric nurse practitioner, an elder life specialist and trained volunteers work together to protect older patients from experiencing the potential loss of independence that may occur as an outcome of a hospital stay. Our staff works as a team to address the special needs of each older patient.

Volunteers play a crucial role in HELP by carrying out specialized care directly at bedside. A volunteer visits our older patients daily to orient the patient to the hospital and to offer social support. They also offer assistance with meals, walking and other daily exercise and hearing and vision equipment. Volunteers encourage therapeutic activities to provide mental stimulation and socialization.

Through HELP, the hospital becomes a place where older patients can feel secure as they participate in their treatment and maintain some control over their own recuperation.

Program Goals

• Maintain cognitive and physical function of high-risk older adults during hospitalization.
• Maximize independence at discharge.
• Assist with the transition from the hospital to the home.
• Prevent unplanned hospital readmissions.

Unique Volunteer Opportunity

Our patients take comfort in the assistance and friendship they receive from volunteers.

The HELP program gives volunteers the opportunity to work with patients directly and to make a difference in a patient's hospital experience.

This is also an opportunity for students who need to fulfill their clinical training or internship requirements. Students will experience one-on-one patient interaction and learn to work with a team of healthcare professionals.

Volunteer Requirements

• Complete the volunteer application.
• Attend training programs, which includes classroom education and supervised hands-on experience.
• Volunteer for a minimum of one four-hour shift per week for six months or more.

To receive a volunteer application, please call 215-481-2490.

For More Information

For more information about HELP, please call The Muller Center for Senior Health at 215-481-2571.