The Niagara County Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), in partnership with the Niagara Caregivers Network and the Niagara County Office for the Aging, is sponsoring a volunteer training series that will prepare individuals to serve as Wellness Coaches. Those who complete this program will have the opportunity to assist seniors, frail elders and their caregivers in a new program "Improving Transitions of Care" that will be launched in June 2007. The training will focus on "Never Too Old", a free program that uses a booklet and a video DVD to address:

• The best place to call for services
• The BEST questions to ask about the 20 most common problems of the elderly
• How to develop a care plan with your doctor and care team

Wellness Coaches teach participants who receive home care service or are being discharged from hospital care:

• How to connect with local human service and not-for-profit agencies and organizations to obtain the services/programs needed to remain independent

• How to keep a simply diary to "learn what works" by recording the "signs" (e.g., blood pressure, exercise tolerance) that are observed, along with the "steps" (e.g., medications, stress management, exercise) that have been taken.

· Identify questions, needs or concerns that the patient or caregiver may have (using the transition care checklist and other Never Too Old tools that will be discussed with the patient, and left in the patient's home for review and follow-up)

· Show them how these questions, needs or concerns are addressed in Never Too Old booklet and video DVD - and how they can follow the suggested processes (e.g., keeping a "signs and steps learning log"; updating a personal health record)

· Encourage patients and caregivers to speak directly with the physician, nurse, pharmacist or other care professionals

· Follow-up to make sure that patients and caregivers are actively engaged in care planning; that questions, needs or concerns have been resolved through contacts with their physician, nurse, pharmacist or other eldercare professional; and that patients and caregivers are continuing to update their personal health records; monitor their signs and symptoms as well as steps that they have taken.

Training classes will be held in May for volunteers who are interested in this unique opportunity to assist healthy seniors, frail elders and their caregivers. RSVP will offer supplementary insurance and mileage reimbursement for volunteers' ages 55 and older. Please call (716) 285-8224, ext 216 for more information or to reserve your seat for the next training session.