Published: October 2016. Next review: 2024.
Use this implementation and training toolkit to set up and support a dementia and delirium care hospital volunteer program.
A volunteer program provides emotional support and practical assistance to vulnerable patients with dementia and delirium, or those patients with identified risk factors for delirium. This support reduces the patient’s risk of adverse outcomes.
Opportunity to contribute
This resource is due for review in 2024.
If you would like to get involved, please join the Aged Health Network and put Dementia and Delirium Care in the comments of the form.
We would also love to hear from you if you use these resources and have feedback to offer. Email ACI-AgedHealth@health.nsw.gov.au
Implementation guide
Hospital volunteer program implementation guide (PDF 1.7 MB)
Use the steps and resource and governance considerations to implement a person-centred volunteer program aimed at supporting the needs of patients with dementia and delirium or at risk for delirium.
The following forms and templates support implementation.
Implementation guide forms and templates
- Example media release (DOCX 101.2 KB)
- Program information sheet (DOCX 17.2 KB)
- Staff feedback survey (DOCX 31.2 KB)
- Volunteer feedback survey (DOCX 27.0 KB)
- Volunteer application pack 1: new program (DOCX 24.4 KB)
- Volunteer application pack 2: established program (DOCX 24.3 KB)
Download all implementation forms and templates (ZIP 173.0 KB)
Procedures
Staff and volunteer procedures and resources (PDF 1.5 MB)
Staff and volunteer procedures and resources (DOCX 650.0 KB)
Understand the framework for the philosophy, responsibilities, safety considerations and day to day functioning of the program. The Word version can be adapted for service-specific use.
Procedures forms and templates
- Orientation checklist (DOCX 18.6 KB)
- Patient family brochure (DOCX 22.9 KB)
- Patient priority list (DOCX 22.9 KB)
- Personal profile (DOCX 24.6 KB)
- Referral form (DOCX 30.2 KB)
- Sign on sheet (DOCX 18.6 KB)
- Standard fluid amounts for volunteer fluid documentation (DOCX 224.9 KB)
- Volunteer handover documentation (ZIP 173.0 KB)
Training resources
There are eight sessions in the training program.
- The volunteer role
- Understanding dementia and delirium
- Communication and person-centred care
- Activities for patients
- Understanding behaviours which can occur in patients with dementia and delirium
- Assisting patients with eating and drinking
- Safe walking with patients
- Commencing as a volunteer
Group training
The facilitator training manual has session outlines, sample program, session plans, scripted PowerPoint presentations, resources, group activities and handouts for each of the eight sessions.
PowerPoint presentations
- Session 1: The volunteer role (PPSX 1.7 MB)
- Session 2: Understanding dementia and delirium (PPSX 2.7 MB)
- Session 3: Communication and person-centred care (PPSX 1.0 MB)
- Session 4: Activities for patients (PPSX 1006.9 KB)
- Session 5: Understanding behaviours which can occur in patients with dementia and delirium (PPSX 1.8 MB)
- Session 6: Assisting patients with eating and drinking (PPSX 6.1 MB)
- Session 7: Safe walking with patients (PPSX 754.2 KB)
Individual training
Volunteers can do their own training using the videos and handbook.
Videos
The videos provide ad hoc training for individual volunteers outside a group training program. The chapters are aligned with the group training program.
Handbook
Volunteer training handbook (PDF 2.0 MB)
The handbook incorporates pre and post questions, short self-marked quizzes at the end of each chapter and additional reading materials.