Supporting Independent Living Community Worker

**Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region**

**Mission, Vision and Values**

The Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region’s (ASNR) mission is to advocate for people with dementia and their care partners and provide access to a diverse range of appropriate resources and supports.

Our vision is to create a community where individuals with dementia and their care partners are fully supported to maximize their quality of life and well
- being.

Our Values
Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, Excellence

**Position Description**

Title: Supporting Independent Living Community Worker
Reporting To: Director of Programs and Services
Hours of Work: 37.5 hours - Monday to Friday - Flexible Schedule

**Position Summary**

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 are often living in high risk situations: they may be high users of emergency services; homeless; live with addictions, mental health and/or dementia; often have low or no informal supports; and often have multiple complex issues presenting simultaneously. 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.

**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, counseling or psychotherapy

2. Member of good standing with an appropriate college/regulatory body or association is preferred

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 handlin