Volunteering – Vestracare

Make a Difference in Someone's Life

Volunteering at a VestraCare facility offers the opportunity to share your time and talents, enhance the quality of life for our residents and learn more about yourself, others and the community around you. Our volunteers are individuals just like you – people who recognize the importance of committing their time and energy to helping others. They are individuals of all ages and from all walks of life.

Who can volunteer?

Our volunteers must be at least 12 years old and possess a cheerful disposition, a sincere desire to enhance the quality of life for our residents and an ability to work with our residents/patients.

What do volunteers do?

Volunteers spend time that enhances the quality of life for our residents in areas such as: one-on-one visits, assisting with group activities, transporting for therapy, sharing a hobby or talent, taking day trips, playing games, and much more.

How do I get started?

An interview is scheduled by calling the facility at which you wish to volunteer. The interview will take place at that facility. At the interview, an application is filled out and you will discuss your particular volunteer interests. The purpose of the interview is to get acquainted and to discover your skills, abilities and preferences in relation to the needs of our residents. You may also be introduced to our Activity Director with whom you will be working closely. In addition, all volunteers will receive a general orientation to the facility, its procedures and safety precautions before starting their service.

Health Assessments

To ensure the safety and physical well-being of our residents/patients, staff and volunteers, the New York State Health Code requires the following for those who are 16 or older and volunteer 20 or more hours per week:

• Physical examination and medical history

• Tuberculosis skin test (PPD) for those over age 16

• Proof of immunity to measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)

This sounds like a lot but it really isn’t!

The physical examination, PPD and MMR can be done at the same time and require only a few minutes. If you choose to have these done at one of our facilities, VestraCare will assume the cost. In addition, for everyone’s safety, a background check will be performed on each individual interested in volunteering.