Practical services
driveS
Our most frequently requested service from Ashby Village members is driving. Volunteer drivers pick up members and drive them to and from various destinations: grocery stores, doctor’s offices, the post office, Village meetings, and even social and educational events.
We strongly recommend calling to request a ride three to five business days in advance. Same-day and n
ext-day rides are very difficult to fill, and while we cannot accommodate these requests, members can call the office for information about alternative paid resources such as GoGoGrandparent and others.
Note that members must be able to transfer in and out of a car for any rides with volunteers. When deemed necessary, a caregiver must accompany members to provide support.
Medical Companion/MedPals
These trained volunteers, some of whom are retired medical professionals, help members navigate the complexities of the healthcare system. They can:
- Provide transportation to and from medical appointments, door through door in most cases
- Help formulate questions to present during the medical appointment
- Assist with filling out forms
- Take notes during a visit to the doctor
- Stay briefly with a member after an outpatient procedure to ensure they are settled
MedPals are committed to respecting the privacy of members, and all information is kept confidential. All notes taken belong to the member and are provided to the member. MedPal volunteers cannot give medical advice.
Handy Persons
Handy person volunteers might repair a leaky faucet or get a sliding door back on its tracks or even change a light bulb in a hard-to-reach location. Volunteers assess member requests either by phone or in person, and then ask the member to buy the necessary supplies or materials. Each job is expected to take no more than three hours to complete. For larger projects, members can call the office for referrals to screened, fee-based professional service providers.
COMPUTER AND MOBILE DEVICE SUPPORT
Many of our members find it difficult to keep up with ever-changing technology: they need help setting up a wireless connection or a new computer, they just don’t know how to use an iPad or a smart phone. Volunteers offer help with everything from computer problems to cell phones. Learn more about the technology team and their need for new volunteers!
Electronics
Times are changing, and Ashby Village is changing with it. This category of service involves assisting with electronic equipment, such as a VCR, a DVD player, answering machines or other items.
Gardeners
Volunteers help do light weeding, planting, raking, and small tree and bush pruning, water gardens and indoor plants when members are on vacation or recovering from surgery. Volunteers might offer gardening advice on where plants and flowers will grow best.
Garden/yard work is limited to 1 hour.
Companions
Short walks, board games, watching movies, and sitting and chatting are some of the activities that volunteers participate in with members. This service is intended to meet a one-time need. If a member wishes companionship on an ongoing basis, please call the office to explore the services offered by the
Connections Team.
Pet Care
Members often need someone to feed or walk their dogs, feed or provide lap time for cats, watch pets while members recuperate from surgery, vacation or because a member is not as active as they used to be.
Reading Aloud
Many Villagers, especially those with vision issues, need help with different forms of written documents. Volunteers could read a book or magazine article aloud, or help members read their email or snail mail messages.
Phone Friends
Some of our members can feel isolated from time to time and enjoy a social call on a weekly or even daily basis. This is a great job for a volunteer who likes to chat on the phone.
Special note: This service is designed to provide our members with a friendly connection. It is not meant to substitute for medical or emergency services.
Food Prep/Grocery Shop
Some members are homebound and need food or groceries delivered to them. Sometimes, they really appreciate a home-cooked meal, whether prepared either at your house or theirs, especially on occasions like holidays or birthdays, or before or after an extended hospital stay.
Special Skills
For example: Help plan a party, help with sewing or a knitting project, show a member how to check the air pressure on car tires, help sell items on eBay. This is an open-ended list guided by member needs and volunteer skills and experience.
Notes on Limitations of Ashby Village Volunteer Services
- Sometimes, there are informal situations where a member needs a ride and it may seem easiest to simply ask another member or volunteer directly, rather than submitting a service request through the Ashby Village office. Please note that Ashby Village is not responsible for any damage or injury occurring during a ride that a member has personally arranged without Ashby Village authorization.
- Ashby Village volunteers cannot provide help lifting or moving heavy objects or handling requests that carry a higher risk of injury (e.g., climbing the roof to clear out leaves, cutting down trees, using heavy power tools, etc.)
- Ashby Village volunteers cannot provide help with services that require a professional license. Such tasks should be completed by paid professional provider (e.g., electrical work, plumbing, contracting, care-giving, etc.). Members can call the office for referrals to screened, fee-based professional service providers.
- Volunteers cannot perform Activities of Daily Living (ADL) such as feeding, bathing, home care, etc., or caregiver respite, though we can refer members to appropriate resources through our Social Care Team.