HackensackUMC’s Hospital Elder Life Program is Interviewing Candidates Now

The Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) at Hackensack University Medical Center is currently interviewing candidates to participate in its innovative volunteer program.

HELP is designed to improve the hospital experience of older patients by offering services such as: daily visitsto provide communication and social support; therapeutic activities using trivia, current events and reading material; early mobilization through range-of-motion exercises; and companionship and assistance during meals.

“The HELP program is an evidence-based program to prevent and reduce incidence of delirium, which has a major impact on patient outcomes and mortality, hence impacting their quality of life.” said Lisa Tank, M.D., director of Medical Affairs, Office of Medical Affairs, and chief of the Division of Geriatrics at HackensackUMC. “It is very rewarding for volunteers and patients as there is a human contact and daily visits for reorientation and activity to keep patients functional mentally and physically.”

To become involved in the HELP program, candidates must be able to commit to a four hour weekday shift and complete eight hours of training. As gratitude for service, free parking and lunch are provided to all HELP volunteers.

If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please contact, Nadine R. Benoit, Elder Life specialist, at 551-996-2542 or nbenoit@hackensackumc.orgto schedule an interview.

About Hackensack University Medical Center
HackensackUMC, a non-profit teaching and research hospital located in Bergen County, New Jersey, is the largest provider of inpatient and outpatient services in the state, and home to the only Level II Trauma Center in the county. This 775-bed facility has gone beyond traditional thinking by creating an entire campus of care, including: the Heart & Vascular Hospital, the John Theurer Cancer Center, the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital, and the Donna A. Sanzari Women’s Hospital. As a result of using science and creativity to push medicine further, HackensackUMC was listed as the number one hospital in New Jersey and one of the top four New York metro area hospitals by the U.S. News & World Report, and has received nine national rankings in: Cancer; Cardiology & Heart Surgery; Ear, Nose & Throat; Gastroenterology; Geriatrics; Neurology & Neurosurgery; Orthopedics; Urology; and the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital ranked as one of the Top 25 Best Children’s Hospitals for Neurology and Neurosurgery in the 2012-13 Best Children’s Hospitals list. The medical center has also been named one of the Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals® and one of America's 50 Best Hospitals by HealthGrades®. It is listed among the Leapfrog Top Hospitals List, received 18 Gold Seals of Approval™ by the Joint Commission, and is listed as one of the 50 Best Hospitals in America by Becker’s Hospital Review. It was the first hospital in New Jersey and second in the nation to become a Magnet® recognized hospital for nursing excellence. The medical center is the Hometown Hospital of the New York Giants and the New York Red Bulls, and remains committed to its community through fundraising and community events. To learn more about one of the nation’s 50 best hospitals, visit: www.HackensackUMC.org.   

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