Volunteer Opportunities > Long Term Care Activity Assistant Program

Long Term Care residents actually live here, so it is important that we create a home-like atmosphere for them. Special activities in LTC are scheduled on a daily basis from 10 - 11 A.M. and from 1 - 2 P.M., Monday through Friday. These activities range from playing games, to baking, to arts and crafts. Volunteers are always needed to assist residents during these hours. If you decide to become an Activities Assistant, the Activity Director will work with you to arrange a schedule that will work for you and the department.

Holidays are a crucial time for our residents. Whether it's a Father's Day Fish Fry held in our own backyard, or a Christmas Dinner in the Dining Room, our residents love special occasions. If you can help prepare table decorations, plan games or activities, or entertain in some way, just let the Activity Director know. She will be glad to have the help.

The following guidelines are designed to help you understand what you should and should not do as a volunteer. If you have any questions, feel free to ask a member of our staff. They will be pleased to assist you in any way.

Do's and Don'ts

Do…

• Chat with residents as much as possible. Many of them have no family or friends and are lonely for conversation. Ask them about their former occupations, their hobbies, their children, etc. Many residents have excellent memories of the past and would love to tell you about it. Remember that some residents have hearing problems. Speak a little louder and slower than you normally do. Smile!                  

• Remember that little things are important. A bouquet of flowers from your garden, an inexpensive gift, or a quiet game of checkers, could brighten a resident's life a great deal.

• Think about what you would like to see, hear, or do, if you were a resident in Long Term Care. Chances are, others will like the same things.

• If you have a special talent, such as playing a musical instrument or singing, please tell the Activities Director. Residents, like the rest of us, love to listen to good music.

• Understand that members of the nursing staff have to follow their own specific guidelines and schedules. Respect their responsibilities and they will respect yours.

Don’t

• Some residents can walk better than others. Do not attempt to lift or move a non-ambulatory resident into or out of a bed or wheelchair. Falls are quite dangerous for the elderly and must be avoided at all costs. If you see that a resident needs or wants to move, ask a staff member to assist the resident. Our staff is specially trained in various lifting techniques and will be glad to help. We do not want you or our residents to be injured.

• Some residents have trouble swallowing and can choke on their food. If you are on duty during meal times, do not attempt to feed a resident. Trained nursing personnel will feed those residents who cannot feed themselves.

• Do not offer a resident anything to eat without checking with the nurse in charge. Some residents are on a restricted diet and should not eat certain foods.

• Do not accept a tip for your services. Residents will feel grateful for any assistance you offer them, and they may want to express their gratitude by offering you a tip. If money is offered, decline politely and explain that it is the policy of Culbertson's Long Term Care that volunteers and personnel are not allowed to accept tips. It is proper, however, to accept a piece of candy or a cookie if it is offered.

• If you learn of matters of a confidential nature while you are working as a volunteer, keep it to yourself. The elderly should not lose their rights to privacy simply by residing in a skilled nursing facility. We make every attempt to respect our resident's private lives and expect our volunteers to act in the same manner.

• Do not sit on a resident's bed, whether empty or occupied.

• Do not wear perfume or cologne while working with residents. Scents may cause allergic reactions in some residents.

Safety Issues

Naturally, the health and safety of our volunteers is a big concern. You are very important to us, so the last thing we want is for you to get sick or injured. Therefore, we would like to remind you about a few common sense rules that we urge you to remember.

• Prior to and after contact with patients, you should wash your hands. Sanitizing hand gel is available in various areas, but if your hands become visibly dirty, you MUST wash them with soap and water.

• If patient room doors have signs on them, please read the signs thoroughly. Some patients may require specific isolation precautions.

• If, in the course of your volunteer duties, you are injured, please report the injury to a staff member and they will make sure you receive proper medical attention and assist you in the completion of an incident report form. 

• If a tornado warning is issued, you can get instructions from a supervising staff member. Stay away from windows!

• Please be cautious of "wet floors" signs. They are placed there for your safety.

• If you see an electrical hazard, report it to a supervising staff member immediately. If you or someone else gets shocked, turn off the power source and get help immediately.

• Do not handle any chemicals.

Culbertson Memorial Hospital
238 S. Congress
Rushville, IL 62681
Telephone: (217) 322-4321
Fax: (217) 322-2608

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