Alamo Area Council of Governments Alamo and Bexar Area Agencies on Aging are seeking persons who wish to assist senior’s age 60 or older and their caregivers with information about benefits and services available to them. Assistance can be provided at the AACOG offices or locations in Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Frio, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Medina and Wilson counties.

REQUIREMENTS

Must be over 18 years of age and have reliable transportation; ability to work well with the senior population and persons with disabilities; maintain effective working relationships with agency employees, service providers and the general public; demonstrate proficiency in both oral and written communication; ability to use standard office equipment, including copy machine, typewriter, calculator, and computer. No prior experience required but must be willing to attend provided orientation and training. Expected time commitment is a minimum of two (2) to four (4) hours per week. 

 Information, Referral, and Assistance

Assist with answering telephone calls and taking intake information for aging services. Orientation and training is provided to learn services/programs available in the community. No prior experience is required.

Benefits Counselor 

Help with telephone calls, applications and resolve claims with Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, pensions and other benefits. Training is 25 hours for Benefits Counselor I and 30 hours for Benefits Counselor II. Training is done individually and at the volunteer’s own pace.

Ombudsman/Nursing Home Advocate 

Seeking persons who would like to become volunteer Ombudsmen to advocate for the residents in the nursing homes of the Alamo region, which includes the following counties: Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Frio, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Medina and Wilson.

Volunteers agree to donate at least two hours per week visiting nursing homes. While in the home, the volunteer will talk with residents, family members, and staff to identify any complaints or problem areas. Volunteers will also provide information about rights and procedures and help identify additional resources in or out of the facility. Our goal is to achieve the best possible quality of life for residents in long-term care facilities.  No experience needed; the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services provides all training.

Contacts for Ombudsman/Nursing Home Advocate Opportunity:

Additional Opportunities

General office assistance can answer telephone calls, do filing, complete mail-out, make bulk copies, and assist with data entry and reports in the computer.

Lawyers, through the Senior Program with the San Antonio Bar Association, can assist elders with questions and legal forms.

Henri Eaton, CVA
Aging Programs Volunteer Recruiter
8700 Tesoro Drive, Suite 700
San Antonio, TX 78217-6228

(210) 362-5261 (Bexar County) or 1-866-231-4922 (Atascosa, Bandera, Comal, Frio, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Medina, and Wilson Counties).
heaton@aacog.com