Senior Shopper

The Somerset County Senior Shopper Program is designed to assist individuals ages 60 and over who are homebound due to acute or chronic illnesses or disability. Community volunteers will provide weekly grocery shopping, food delivery and visiting services with the primary purpose of enabling older persons to maintain themselves in their place of residence by removing barriers to their care and well-being. This service is funded by and requires a referral from the Somerset County Office on Aging and Disability Services.

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Volunteer Senior Shoppers are matched with home bound seniors, who have been referred by the Somerset County Office on Aging, after an in-person meeting with the JFS Senior Shopper Program Coordinator. Volunteers who have completed an interview, had state required background checks, signed all required documents, and participated in orientation and training provided by JFS are eligible to be a Senior Shopper. The Senior Shopper provides grocery shopping based on client needs matched with availability and preferences of the volunteer for geographic location and time commitment. Seniors pay for their own groceries.

Responsibilities

• Complete all required paperwork at time of enrollment
• Provide shopping weekly or as arranged by volunteer and the senior
• Assist with unpacking groceries based on the senior's needs for assistance
• Complete Shopping Notes to track service hours and submit to JFS monthly documenting all contact and related activities, such as travel, telephone contact, and grocery shopping for the senior
• Promptly report any personal life changes affecting volunteer's ability to honor this commitment
• Promptly report any functional status changes of the senior to JFS Program Coordinator
• Maintain confidentiality
• Other duties as assigned and mutually agreed to with JFS Staff Supervision

Training, Supervision, and Evaluation

• Attend JFS of SHW volunteer training sessions
• Complete volunteer satisfaction surveys as requested

Qualifications

• Possess good interpersonal and organizational skills
• Bring relevant life experience to the position
• Must have a valid driver’s license, be able to drive or have transportation to grocery store and to senior's residence