Training Kicks Off for Volunteer Surveyors

Thank you to the 100+ individuals across the province who have signed up to be volunteer surveyors with the Office of the Seniors Advocate’s Long-Term Care Survey. The survey of over 29,000 individuals living in nearly 300 long-term care homes in B.C. is being launched in Early Adopter care homes in August and will be rolled out to scheduled care homes starting early September.

This week, the survey team will begin offering regular training sessions that equip volunteers with skills to properly conduct a structured interview, as well as tools and techniques necessary to effectively engage with our residents.

The virtual Zoom training sessions focus on teaching and practicing what is called “the structured interview”. A structured interview is a standardized way of conducting an interview so data can be collected in a reliable and valid way.

Through numerous mock interview exercises, volunteers will practice what it will be like to approach residents, invite them to participate, and conduct a structured interview. By working through a variety of scenarios, volunteers will develop an understanding of the circumstances and situations that may arise throughout their time in our long-term care homes.

Recruitment is ongoing, so please share the call for this volunteer opportunity with people in your communities. A 40-hour commitment is required and training will be provided.

To volunteer go to www.surveybcseniors.org/volunteer. Volunteers can apply online or call the Seniors Advocate office at 1-877-952-3181.