“Volunteers through Family Eldercare are only asked to volunteer 2-4 hours per month and enjoy the flexibility of personally determining their volunteer schedule.”

“Your listeners have very busy lives filled with many time constraints. Volunteers through Family Eldercare are only asked to volunteer 2-4 hours per month and enjoy the flexibility of personally determining their volunteer schedule.

Both the population we serve and how we serve them is special! We serve people with disabilities, older adults, and those who care for them by connecting them with direct support and resources that ensure their dignity and independence.

Our programs efforts are focused on the prevention of abuse, neglect and exploitation. Every listener can identify with this idea of prevention and may already connect with the elderly and/or disabled through their family, neighbors, friends, or work.

The need for our services will continue to grow…by 2040 the percentage of adults age 60+ in Travis County will more than double! “

Family Eldercare Mission:
To provide services and develop partnerships supporting older adults, people with disabilities and those who care for them. We advocate for older adults and people with disabilities so they may remain in their homes and communities.

Major Activities and Services:
We are the largest non-profit organization providing community based services to people with disabilities and the elderly, in Central Texas. Our services are designed to promote dignity and independence for our clients by preventing abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

• Guardianship Services: Provides legal guardianship protections for those who lack the mental capacity to make decisions (due to age, illness or disability) and are at risk of abuse, neglect and/or financial exploitation.
• Bill Payer/Money Management Services: Prevents financial exploitation and neglect of low-income elders and people with disabilities by providing assistance with bill paying and budgeting through trained volunteers.
• Low-Income Senior Housing: Family Eldercare is the sponsor of Lyons Gardens, an award-winning, affordable senior housing community in Central East Austin, which includes service coordination.
• Summer Fan Drive: Distributes fans, raises funds, and provides critically needed support services to low-income elderly and those who are vulnerable to the summer heat.
• Elder Shelter: Provides temporary housing for low-income elders who are facing a housing crisis or who are in an abusive situation. The agency also refers low-income elderly and people with disabilities to long-term affordable housing options in Travis County.
• Consultation and Service Coordination: Provides individualized consultation and coordination of eldercare services and benefits to elders and their families on a fee for service basis and at select housing locations. A sliding fee scale is available.
• In-Home Care & Respite Services: Provide assistance with personal care and homemaker services, as well as offering respite care for exhausted caregivers of homebound elders and people with disabilities. A sliding fee scale is available.

Volunteer Opportunities:
Family Eldercare requires all potential volunteers to attend an orientation that provides us the opportunity for initial screening. Volunteer Services then completes an initial and annual Criminal Background Check and CAPS check (search through a national registry of those convicted of senior/child abuse) on every volunteer.

All volunteers receive some training (Fan Drive, Administrative, etc.) and every Program volunteer (Money Management and Guardianship) must complete 6 hours of specialized training and 2 hours of on-going training, annually.

Additionally, there is paperwork required of each Program volunteer. This paperwork includes references, a volunteer screening questionnaire, volunteer application, and agreement statements on conflict of interest/confidentiality/transportation.

Volunteers who work directly with clients are placed through an escorted match process. Standard procedure involves the client, the client’s case manager, and the volunteer meeting at a mutually accessible time/place in order to give both the client and the volunteer an opportunity to visit and confirm that they are comfortable with the one-on-one match. Even after the volunteer’s service has begun, they are always supported by the client’s case manager and Volunteer Services.

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Outreach Volunteer: We believe in Advocacy, Dignity, Independence, and Respect for ALL! Our efforts and programs support a quality life for adults with disabilities and the elderly. Outreach volunteers help promote Family Eldercare by distributing information within their organizations. This volunteer opportunity requires a minimal time commitment; just share our mission with the people you know.

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Money Management Volunteer: Volunteers in this program donate their time to work one-on-one with a client who needs assistance with keeping their checkbooks balanced, paying their bills, budgeting, etc. No experience is necessary and training is provided. This opportunity requires at least two hours per month.

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Guardian Advocate Volunteer: Many of our clients have no friends or family in the Austin area. Volunteers are needed for visitation and advocacy. Volunteers in this program visit the client at their facility (nursing home, state school, group home, etc.) and provide them a “voice” by advocating for their care. No experience is necessary and training is provided. At least two hours per month are needed.

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Seasonal Project Volunteer: Family Eldercare’s seasonal projects include the Holiday Giving Drive, Fan Drive, and other one-time events. These are volunteer based projects and the time commitment varies. Such events are a great way to connect with the community and support our clients without a long term obligation.

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Family Eldercare needs volunteers to assist with vital clerical support duties. Support activities include data entry, filing, answering phones, faxing, and other general office duties. Volunteers usually work 2-4 hours per week. This is an excellent opportunity to gain new skills and boost one’s resume.

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Contact Information:
Faith Unger (funger@familyeldercare.org ) Outreach Coordinator
Phone: (512) 483-3582
FAX: 512.459-6436
2210 Hancock Drive
Austin, Texas 78756

For More Information about the Family Eldercare, visit their website at www.familyeldercare.org/.

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— KUT Staff