Our companions are of the highest caliber. They undergo a thorough screening process, including a comprehensive background check, driving record check, and one-on-one interview process.
Our non-profit organization serves people of all income levels. Each year 30 percent of our clients receive assistance through the charitable program because of generous contributors and volunteers.
Yasmin came to A Helping Hand as an intern in the fall of 2016. At the time, she wanted to go to medical school, but didn’t know what specialty she wanted to pursue. She didn’t have much experience working with older adults, but was interested in learning more about geriatrics and elder care. “[The internship] helped me realized the health disparities that exist among older populations, and how this is a growing problem as the baby boomer generation ages that not many people are talking about,” she said. The firsthand experience she gained working with AHH clients pushed her to consider a new career path. Instead of medical school, she is now pursuing a master’s in public health, in a program specializing in health of an aging society.
After finishing her internship with AHH, Yasmin continued to be involved with older adults in the community. She continued to work at Charles House, one of the sites where she volunteered as an intern. She also got involved with the Orange County Department on Aging’s Caregiver Respite program. She’s continued to volunteer her time with A Helping Hand, serving on our holiday committee that organizes and distributes gifts to charitable program clients. She’s worked with Amanda Borer, the associate director of Charles House, on starting an NC branch of the Eldercare Workforce Alliance, a national organization committed to addressing the current and future workforce crisis in caring for an aging population. As part of the Gillings Student Interest Group on Aging, she is helping plan their annual aging conference.
Yasmin clearly has a passion for helping older adults and bringing awareness to the public health issues, and it all started with the AHH internship program! Typically our interns come to us with limited experience working with older adults and adults with disabilities. However, their experience with us often ignites an interest in continuing to work with this group. One of the aspects of the program that we’re proudest of is being able to inspire young people to pursue geriatrics-related fields.
Yasmin, we appreciate your continued advocacy and work on behalf of older adults in the community!
As a new school semester dawned this past January, three of our former summer interns returned to A Helping Hand as volunteers. These three students had enjoyed their time as interns, but their schedules hadn’t allowed them to continue volunteering after their internships came to an end. Now that it’s a new semester and their schedules have opened up, they were inspired to get back involved with the volunteer program! Read more
Today we have a guest post from Mallory, one of our volunteers, who shared a special experience with her client Ms. H.
I thought it would be a great idea to bring Ms. H to lunch at my sorority house when she told me that she was previously a sorority house mom for another sorority at UNC and she loved all of the girls and felt like they kept her young. I figured my sorority house would be very similar to the one she lived in for 7 years, so I asked her if she would like to come. She was SO excited that I asked her and said she couldn’t wait. We planned this two weeks ago and when I got to her house to pick her up today, she was dressed and ready and couldn’t wait to get in the car to go.
My experience was, in one word, rewarding. Read more
When potential clients and companions find out about A Helping Hand, the first person they meet is Denise. Denise Matthewson is our director of client services, which means she helps all of our new clients and companions through the onboarding process.
For clients, this process typically starts with a phone call from a potential client or a family member. Denise describes the type of services AHH can provide, and learns about the client’s particular needs. Then, she visits the client at home, to assess their needs more clearly and go through the enrollment paperwork. Back at the office, she shares information about the client with Rebecca, who manages and schedules the companions, so we can make a perfect client-companion match!
Denise also manages the hiring process for our new companions. She meets each applicant and completes a thorough interview, to determine if their skills match up with our clients’ needs. Read more
Two weeks ago, our new group of spring interns kicked off their internship with a day of orientation. Through this process, they learned the ins and outs of being companion. They discussed their perceptions of older adults, participated in a sensitivity training to simulate some of the physical impairments our clients experience, practiced using mobility devices such as walkers and wheelchairs, learned about managing difficult behaviors associated with dementia, and heard from an A Helping Hand client about her experiences with companions.
In addition to their initial orientation, interns continue to learn throughout the semester through various events in the community, as well as team meetings put together by AHH. To make all of these informative trainings happen, we have a great team of people who volunteer their time to teach our interns how to work with older adults! Read more
Be sure to check out the video to find out why Kayla is such an incredible volunteer! Thank you, Kayla, for everything you do.
Testimonials
“This summer has been life transforming for me, and the lessons I’ve learned through my experience with serving older adults have been priceless. I have grown a lot in caring for people, gained perspective on facing troubles in life, and grew a deeper passion for healthcare.”
-Jeanne, 2015 Summer Intern
This internship has been an unforgettable experience. Between spending time with my clients and working with professionals in this field, every minute spent with A Helping Hand taught me more than I could have ever imagined. My patience and compassion, two aspects of my personality that I believed I had mastered, grew and flourished throughout this internship.
-John B, Spring 2016 Intern
I would recommend this internship for someone who is open to being surprised and enlightened by their experience, regardless of whether or not they are going into the healthcare field.
-Lisa B, Summer 2016 intern
A great deal of words exist to describe my interning experience with A Helping Hand, but overall, my internship was rewarding, humbling, and showed me a true representation of service and genuine gratitude.
Kirby H., Summer 2016 intern
Each of the clients I saw had some sort of health problem, however, this was not the focus of their life. They have interests, families, and things they love outside of being an “old” or “sick” or “disabled” person. In the future as an OB/GYN, this experience will remind me that no matter what is going on for the person health wise, each one leads a life outside of visiting me. I will treat them as a person, not a patient.
Elizabeth M, Summer 2016 Intern
This internship has given me the opportunity to meet so many amazing people and learn of their stories. The most rewarding gift was being able to connect to these people whom I would never have known if I did not have this opportunity to intern with A Helping Hand.
Kalia, Summer 2016 Intern
I would definitely recommend this internship to anyone interested in the healthcare fields. It has provided me with a new appreciation and level of respect for the elders of our communities, as well as a sense of responsibility in their care. I am very proud to have had this opportunity and I would not have spent my summer any other way.
Laura L, Summer 2015 Intern
I want to have a career in medicine when I am older and this internship has given me a different perspective into the lives of older adults with disabilities.
Nirja, Summer 2015 Intern
The issue of isolation, which I was vaguely aware of before, became very real to me through my experience working with A Helping Hand.
Jiwon, Summer 2015 Intern
This experience truly enhanced my leadership and communication skills….The appreciation from all of my clients will always be a driving force for my future career goals in healthcare.
Leah, Intern
It’s a joy to share a passion for service with our community of elders.
Denise, Companion
I am so grateful for the opportunity to work as a companion for such a great, dynamic organization. Some of my most meaningful experiences have been with the people I have assisted…. I hope to be involved with AHH for years to come!
Snigdha, Companion
Each [companion] in her own way has brought sunshine into my life. If I should need help again in the future, I hope I can call on you.
Arlene, Client
A big thank you for the support while I returned to health and fitness….We couldn’t have done it without you. We’ll always be grateful for your help and care.
Julia, Client
I used your services for my cataract surgery. I don’t know what I would do without the great service A Helping Hand provides. Thank goodness you are here.
John B., Client
This experience solidified my desire to be a doctor, pushed me in the direction of geriatrics, and above all taught me that people are much more than their symptoms.
Sonali, Summer 2015 InternDurham, NC
To repay Mr. T for the humility he has taught me, I help him every Friday to have a better day that day than he did the day before.
McCaig, Summer 2015 Intern
Video Spotlight
Learn more about how A Helping Hand (AHH) companions improve the well-being of our clients. Listen to Sue Anderson describe her experiences with AHH.
