Connect with Isolated/Lonely Older AdultsAt — achi
The Caching Memories program virtually connects students to socially isolated older adults, providing them with an avenue to reminisce, share their life stories, and improve their sense of connection to the world around them.
The program will equip students with training focused on communication styles with older adults, Reminiscence Therapy, and coaching on how to evoke meaningful stories from the older adult - teaching students to engage with the older adult as a human being, and the importance of building a relationship and meeting someone where they are.
The program is volunteer-based and completely remote/virtual. We can track volunteer hours if you need them for a service-learning project/course.
How it works:
- Students are matched with an older adult
- Pairs connect weekly for 8-10 weeks
- All connections are virtual via phone or computer
- Older adults receive a book containing their life stories at the end of the program
The program is available and in need of volunteers year-round.
Participating students will connect weekly with an older adult via phone or virtual platform for 8-10 weeks.
All phone sessions will be conducted through achi’s contact center system and students will log in to the contact center system to perform their sessions, providing a secure and consistent connection method for every call. All calls will be recorded for quality assurance.
All participating students are required to complete and submit post-session reflection prompts describing their sessions with their older adult and the stories discussed. These submissions will be utilized in the creation of a book for the older adult that will be gifted to them at the end of the program. If students are interested in creating the book for their assigned older adults, they are able to do so.
Training:
Our team will train students using program-specific curriculum and will be available for continuous support throughout the program. Training will cover:
· Communication skills that span across
generations
· Engaging with individuals in a
virtual setting
· Relationship building skills
· Reminiscence Therapy
· Conversation initiation and
evoking storytelling
All program training is virtual and self-paced. Additional resources are included on our volunteer site, such as a Conversation Guide that outlines discussion topics, follow-up questions, and more. Our team also holds \\Snack & Chat\\ meetings throughout the program that students can join to ask questions and enjoy the support of other peer volunteers participating in the program.
Learning Outcomes:
Our team will train students using program-specific curriculum and will be available for continuous support throughout the program. Training will cover:
· Communication skills that span across
generations
· Engaging with individuals in a
virtual setting
· Relationship building skills
· Reminiscence Therapy
· Conversation initiation and
evoking storytelling
All program training is virtual and self-paced. Additional resources are included on our volunteer site, such as a Conversation Guide that outlines discussion topics, follow-up questions, and more. Our team also holds \\Snack & Chat\\ meetings throughout the program that students can join to ask questions and enjoy the support of other peer volunteers participating in the program.