The Division of Geriatrics, at Hackensack University Medical Center, is looking for motivated volunteers to participate in their Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP). HELP is an innovative way to make the hospital stay more pleasant for older patients by having volunteers visit them on a regular basis.

The goals of the program are to keep the patients functioning as best they can during their hospitalization, and to assist them in their transition from being in the hospital to going back home or

to a residential facility, and , hopefully, to prevent their having to return to the hospital. Volunteers interested in this program will receive training that will provide great insight into working with older people.

This volunteer experience is perfect for students interested in exploring possible careers in medicine, nursing, social work, public health, and creative arts therapy. The training is comprised of approximately five hours of classroom training and eight hours of hands-on training in the inpatient setting. In addition,

volunteers will need to commit to one threehour shift per week, morning, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., afternoon, 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., or evening, 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, and are in high school or older, please contact Nadine Benoit, Program Coordinator, at 201-996-2503, or nbenoit@humed.com, to set up an interview.