To ease their stay: the "Welcome a New Resident" volunteer program.

Abstract

To ease the transition for new residents from the community to the nursing home, the Department of Volunteer Services at The Jewish Home and Hospital for Aged (JHHA) Manhattan Division created a "Welcome a New Resident" Program. An interdisciplinary group of Department Heads and Administration saw the need and, with their considerable advice, the program took shape. Since May 1989 specially-trained volunteers have had eight to ten weekly sessions with residents in their first months following admission. The volunteers answer residents' questions and assist them in finding their way around a very large facility, learning how to accomplish simple tasks for themselves and, most important, to become part of their new community by participating in activities and meeting other residents.