| Kamloops & District |
| Seniors Outreach Services |
| Society |
A free one-on-one service provided by trained senior volunteers who offer emotional support, guidance and empathy to at-risk seniors troubled by loneliness, depression, isolation, loss of loved ones and other life changes. Senior Peer Counseling develops a special bond of trust between two people who share similar age, values, wisdom and practical common sense. Peer counseling is based on principles of self help and mutual aid.
The philosophy of peer counseling on which the program has been developed is:
At times we prefer and are more ably helped by our “peers” who share experiential background than by professionals and family members.
We cannot change inevitable circumstances but do have a choice in how we react to the events by attitude and behavior.
We can help ourselves by becoming aware (with peer help) of values, the meaning of events and making choices in daily living.
KAMLOOPS & DISTRICT SENIORS OUTREACH SERVICES SOCIETY’s Senior Peer Counselors are members of the Senior Peer Counselors of British Columbia. SPC of B.C. is a non-profit society dedicated to providing information, education, support and networking to its members; and also represents senior peer counseling to all levels of government and other seniors organizations.
Meet with Seniors Outreach Society (SOS) staff for interview and completion of volunteer
application form which includes two references and background criminal record check
Candidates for Senior Peer Counselor training should have experience in helping others as caregivers, and experience in community service as professionals or volunteers.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF SENIOR
PEER COUNSELORS:
Provide counseling to clients on a one-to-one basis, in the home or at a mutually agreeable location
Maintain client confidentiality at all times
Adhere to policies established by SOS coordinator and board of directors
Confer with coordinator before referring to other agencies and/or community resources
Attend and participate in monthly support and in-service educational meetings
Provide a summary report to coordinator at conclusion of assignment
Confer with coordinator before terminating client/counselor relationship
Emergency cases may require 2-3 visits per week, tapering to once a week.
Cases approaching closure may require only 1 or 2 visits per month
In Kamloops, referrals to Senior Peer Counselors are made by a telephone call to Seniors Outreach (SOS) office 828-0600. Self referrals are welcome as well as referrals from public and private agencies, physicians, family, friends and neighbors. Requests are assessed and the client is matched appropriately with a SOS volunteer Senior Peer Counselor. There is no fee for this service, and at the completion of the client/counselor relationship, the senior client may be referred to another SOS program or service.
