Providing Independent Living Support: Training for Senior Corps Volunteers was developed to provide a standardized and easy-to-use training curriculum for Senior Corps’ Senior Companion and RSVP project directors who have volunteers delivering independent living services to seniors, to enhance the services delivered by the volunteers. The curriculum meets the need for creative and practical strategies and ideas that volunteers delivering independent living services can adapt when serving their own clients.

Providing Independent Living Support: Training for Senior Corps Volunteers consists of the curriculum (eight workshop modules) and accompanying Facilitator’s Guide. The Facilitator’s Guide is designed to support the facilitation of the workshop modules in the curriculum. You are encouraged to use both documents when preparing for and conducting the workshop modules.

Curriculum
Each of the eight workshop modules is organized as a 60-75 minute session. These workshops can be conducted individually or in combination of two or more. The module topics are presented as follows but do not need to be implemented in this order:

Download the complete guide and curriculum:

• Facilitator’s Guide: Complete guide (PDF - large file) (including cover) and handout worksheets and forms (DOC)
• Complete Curriculum: Complete curriculum (PDF - large file) (including cover, introduction, table of contents, and all modules with handouts, but not PowerPoints slides)

Or, download the individual modules:

• Curriculum cover, introduction and acknowledgements (PDF)
• Curriculum table of contents (PDF)
• Module 1: Types of Independent Living Services Delivered by Volunteers
  - Complete facilitator’s notes and handouts (PDF)
  - Handout worksheets and forms (DOC)
  - PowerPoint slides (PPT)
• Module 2: Becoming an Effective Care Partner: Helping Volunteers Recognize Benefits to Themselves
  - Complete facilitator’s notes and handouts (PDF)
  - Handout worksheets and forms (DOC)
  - PowerPoint slides (PPT)
• Module 3: Understanding the Physical, Emotional, and Social Challenges Experienced by Clients
  - Complete facilitator’s notes and handouts (PDF)
  - Handout worksheets and forms (DOC)
  - PowerPoint slides (PPT)
• Module 4: Effective and Respectful Communication
  - Complete facilitator’s notes and handouts (PDF)
  - Handout worksheets and forms (DOC)
  - PowerPoint slides (PPT)
• Module 5: Understanding Dementia
  - Complete facilitator’s notes and handouts (PDF)
  - Handout worksheets and forms (DOC)
  - PowerPoint slides (PPT)
• Module 6: Paying Attention to Body Language
  - Complete facilitator’s notes and handouts (PDF)
  - Handout worksheets and forms (DOC)
  - PowerPoint slides (PPT)
• Module 7: Home Safety
  - Complete facilitator’s notes and handouts (PDF)
  - Handout worksheets and forms (DOC)
  - PowerPoint slides (PPT)
• Module 8: Beyond Companionship Services: Helping Clients Improve Quality of Life
  - Complete facilitator’s notes and handouts (PDF)
  - Handout worksheets and forms (DOC)
  - PowerPoint slides (PPT)