Redwater Caregiver workshop extends invite to become senior caregiver

Ambassadors

By Brandie Majeau
On the heels of the success of Redwater’s Caregiver workshop, Caregiver’s
Alberta is inviting community members to join their Senior Caregiver Ambassador
program. This program is aimed to reach out to seniors to connect within their
community and become a beacon of support for senior caregivers. The program
endeavors to link with caregivers requiring support and become a liaison between
senior centers and residences to share information about Caregivers Alberta programs
and share or distribute resources between public areas such as libraries or care
facilities.
While all ages are welcome to apply to volunteer, becoming a caregiver
ambassador is currently targeting individuals 65+. This is a means to bridge the gap
between specifically senior caregivers and the available and essential resources they
require, largely in rural areas where support may be limited. The commitment of the
ambassador rests solely on the individuals themselves as they can vary their service to
meet the needs of their own personal schedules. Simply sharing printed brochures or
program postcards may be enough to reach a caregiver looking for support and
knowledge that they are not alone.
Once accepted as a volunteer Senior Caregiver Ambassador, a commitment of
approximately ten hours of training with be required, followed by monthly engagements
that will be determined during orientation. Ambassador duties may be discussed as
individuals share previous caregiving responsibilities and experiences, experience with
public involvement in addition to levels of comfort with personable connections. There is
no previous experience required to become a Senior Volunteer Ambassador, however
self-reliant individuals with effective communication and people skills would be an asset.
As individuals consider such roles, their interest may stem from previous
personal caregiver history. This is a key factor in the context of volunteering to become
an ambassador. As previous caregivers become representatives for Caregivers Alberta,
they can draw from personal history and understand the complexities and hardships
that are endured, as well as feelings of hopelessness when unsure where to turn. They
have built their abilities and resiliency and are able to offer a sympathetic approach
based on first-hand experience. The Caregiver Ambassador program strives to offer a
seniors-serving-seniors approach, a comforting hand ensuring senior caregivers that

they are not alone. To join the Senior Caregiver Ambassador program contact
office@caregiversalberta.ca.