AVA

ACADEMY FOR VOLUNTEERS IN AGING-ATLANTA

MISSION

The Academy for Volunteers in Aging-Atlanta provides continuing community education focused on building the skills of volunteers to meet the emotional, psychological, and physical needs of the aging population. Following organizations collaborated in the planning stages:

Piedmont Hospital Sixty Plus – Nancy Morrison, DeAnna Gilliam
Piedmont Hospital Réhabilitation Services—Anne Marie Fitzgerald
Education Consultant, Geriatrics and Gerontology— Lois Ricci
Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Chapter—Sarah Carson
Georgia State University School of Social Work—Master Students Nicole Corley, Ashley Williams, Jevita Northern, and Dr. Fred Brooks
ARC Area Agency on Aging—Patrice Earnest, Kristie Sharp
LIFESPAN Resources—Laurie Stokes, Jane Kilgore, Deke Grinnell
Planning started with discussions in June 2006 and included a survey of organizations to determine interest in a community wide opportunity to educate volunteers on the special aspects of growing older.

CURRICULUM

Collaborative members have committed to establishing a semi-annual curriculum of classes that will cover specific needs of the aging toward the goal of educating volunteers who will be working with the aging.

The Normal Aging Process And Effective Communication
Communication with Hearing Impaired
Chronic Disease: Understanding the Process
Communication with Visually Impaired
Memory Loss: Understanding and Communication/Behavior Issues
Mobility Assistance and Safety: Creative Leisure Time Activities
Community Resources
End of Life Issues

Six consecutive, monthly sessions will be offered each session. Lunch and free parking will be provided through donations of sponsoring senior agencies. Participants will receive a certificate upon completion of all six sessions. Participants will be asked to evaluate each class and instructor. This program is offered free to agencies, organizations and congregations with volunteers who serve the elderly. Each agency will provide their own orientation of their volunteers. The Academy will be able to offer each agency the ability to give their volunteers the best information available for work with aging from medical professionals and trained experts. Therefore, this program will enhance the quality of care volunteers are able to provide to the elderly. For more information about the present session, just click here for the curriculum and dates.

Click here to register online.