Supporting Independent Living Community Worker

**Overview**
The SIL Community Worker provides rapid response intervention to a vulnerable older adult population living at imminent risk. The SIL Community Worker is a part of a multi-disciplinary team and works collaboratively to provide advocacy, access to care and support to clients. The goal-oriented service delivered by the SIL program aims to mitigate risk and increase independence and safety in a short-term framework. Individuals supported by the SIL team frequently face high-risk situations, which may include heavy reliance on emergency services, homelessness, struggles with addictions, mental health issues, and/or dementia.

These individuals often lack informal support networks and tend to deal with multiple complex issues at the same time. This position reports to the Alzheimer Society but works in collaboration with Niagara Region and maintains client documentation in accordance to the Niagara Region’s practices and policies.

This role is part of a multi-disciplinary team that has office space at both the Alzheimer Society and the Niagara Region.

**Duties and Responsibilities**:
1. Receive and respond to inquiries from internal, external, and general public stakeholders regarding seniors in need of support and coordinate the service needs of an assigned case load; inclusive of: allegations of elder abuse, vulnerable, at-risk, and isolated seniors who may present with underlying dementia, mental health, and/or physical deficits.

2. Conduct home visits independently, jointly, and/or in collaboration with other agencies/professionals to inform the assessment process related to environmental and health influences.

3. Complete assessments using a variety of standardized tools (examples could include PIECES, MoCA, SAFE TALK, Global Depression Scale, Zarit Burden Interview) to examine both psychosocial and functional ability. Assessment results are discussed with the client, imminent risk situations prioritized (evictions, abuse, addictions, environmental risks) and with consent a goal-oriented plan of service is developed and implemented.

4. Provide person centered support and education to clients and care partners/ caregivers as informed by best practice, relevant legislation, and professional ethics and standards.

5. Provide intensive case management and service coordination through a collaborative service delivery model.

6. Initiate and participate in case consultations and conferences as needed.

7. Collaborate with other health care providers within the community support sector and develop a comprehensive care plan.

8. Act as the ICL for client in coordinating other services and community supports.

9. Advocate for client’s quality of life and minimize risk while promoting independence.

10. Complete documentation as required; collecting stats pertinent to duties and responsibilities.

11. Complete required data entry in electronic database(s) (Niagara Region’s CRMS).

12. Participate in professional development opportunities, case studies, and team meetings.

13. Participate in internal and external committees as required.

14. Facilitate linkages/access to the health care system (primary care, CHC, hospital etc.) for clients as required.

15. Advocacy, support and system navigation to mitigate risks to clients regarding finances, elder abuse, housing, human rights (ACE, NRP, OPGT, financial resources etc.) as required.

16. Provide education and peer support for successful service delivery

17. Provide support for special assignments and other duties as assigned.

**Qualifications**:
1. Degree/diploma in Health/Social Sciences/Services

2. Member of good standing with an appropriate college/regulatory body

3. Experience working with highly vulnerable individuals with concurrent, complex issues (addictions, mental, physical and cognitive health) in a community setting.

5. Police Vulnerable Sector Check

6. Must have a valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle

**Skills and Knowledge**:
1. Experience in community-based health context preferably working with a geriatric population.

3. Excellent working knowledge of community supports within the Niagara Region.

4. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a demonstrated ability to work independently and as a member of multiple teams in a trans-disciplinary nature.

5. Ability to use discretion, judgment and tact in handling sensitive, confidential and/or contentious situations preserving the human dignity of the individual.

6. Demonstrated ability to build rapport, with clients, caregivers, and community partners for the purpose of building strong relationships, negotiating and influencing positive outcomes for a client centered car plan.

7. Strong crisis management skills (GPA, ASIST, CPI), personal safety and risk management strategies.

8. Excellent time management skills with the ability to self prioritize effectively.

9. Must be highly adaptable, flexible and able to shift priorities quickly

10. Knowledge of v