Local Elderly Care Supporter

Agency
·
founded in 2007
Maureen
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Coordinator | Maureen
Coordinator | Maureen
Book with Flex Option! Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.

High­lights

Work with the elderly in Jamaica and make a difference in the lives of the founding mothers and fathers of the island.
Read to the patients, play games with them or just listen to their exciting and interesting life stories.
Assist caretakers with the preparation of meals or help to feed the elders who need assitance.
Help the nursing homes with administrative tasks.
Help caretakers and elders with massage, therapy and exercise activities.
Many Jamaicans cannot afford to offer support and care to elderly relatives. You can make a difference by caring for senior citizens, who are needy and chronically ill. This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Groups

Have you ever wondered what it is like to make often-neglected elderly people smile when they get the care and attention they need in their daily lives?

Because of poverty, many Jamaicans cannot afford to offer support and care to elderly relatives. Therefore, elderly care volunteers are often needed in Jamaica to support senior citizens, who are needy and chronically ill.

In Jamaica, the government and non-profit organizations have stepped in to provide some help but the need for help is great and the funding inadequate, so there is a heavy reliance on volunteer services.

The staff at elderly care homes often have a heavy workload with long hours, so there is an urgent need for nurses, physical therapists, doctors, or professionals who can offer direct assistance.

Our elderly care programs provide a family atmosphere and an environment that fosters respect and love for the elderly. 

If you are looking for a worthwhile program and have an interest in the health and well-being of elderly care patients, an amazing experience in Jamaica awaits you.

Essential Program Information

Program Times

Our programs are usually run Mondays – Fridays from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. However, we can arrange shorter days for those who require it. Some programs might have activities on Saturdays which are normally pre-planned. We will help you to make the necessary arrangements.

Safety

At JVP, our mantra is “Your safety is our number one priority”. This means that our job is not completed until you arrive home safely. 

To ensure this, when you are in Jamaica you will never be alone. A Jamaica Volunteer Programs representative will always be available to you. In addition to this, on your arrival, we'll give you safety tips and strategies to use during your orientation. 

On your arrival in Jamaica, we never send taxis to pick you up. You are always greeted by our smiling representative/driver.

JVP does not accept volunteers without a  background check/police report which states that the applicant does not have a criminal record. Applicants are also asked about mental health and medication. We do this to provide support for the volunteers in our program.

Like most other countries, Jamaica does have crime. However, our programs, routes, and destinations are designed around and away from those areas so you will always be safe. Even further, our volunteer home and program partners are located in some of the safest communities in St Andrew.

Our accommodation is located in a safe neighborhood in the hills of St. Andrew overlooking the city of Kingston. The organization’s founder and her family also live on this property. For safety and security, only authorized persons can enter the grounds.

We provide 24/7 in-country support where our dedicated team members are always there to support you with any emergencies or other needs. This means that when you book with us you will be treated as if you are a relative visiting from overseas and provided with a safe home away from home. 

Therefore, at all times you'll be surrounded by caring and trusted people to keep you safe.

Application 

You can apply at any time for all of our programs. However, we advise you to apply as soon as you can to ensure that you lock up your space.

Once you have paid your deposit and confirmed your place on the program, we will send you an email confirming your payment and the balances remaining. This email will also give you details of the documents required for you to participate in the program.

If you require any further information not covered in the handbook our staff is always on-hand to assist you.

Volunteer Experience Value 

If you are wondering if you can use your volunteer experience to boost your professional profile, then yes you can. At your request, we can provide you with a letter or certificate of completion detailing your volunteer activities and accomplishments. 

A volunteer experience abroad is a great resume booster and can be of great value when applying for college or a job. We’ll be glad to assist you to make it happen. 

Typical day

Your working hours will be from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm in the afternoons with an hour for a lunch break. 

You'll be transported to your program site in the mornings and picked up around 4:00 pm after you have completed your day's work. You'll then be transported back to your volunteer home in the afternoons unless you have an activity or excursion planned for the evening.

Here is a list of some of the activities you can do at the elderly care homes on a daily basis:

  • Provide administrative support to the organization;
  • Read to patients who cannot see – many want to read the bible especially;
  • Play games or work with art & craft;
  • Assist in the preparation of meals or help with feeding;
  • Massage or do physical therapy;
  • Talk to them and just listen to their stories;
  • Hold their hands and provide companionship;
  • Help clean and organize their living accommodation;
  • Take a walk with to get fresh air & exercise.

Free-time activities

Most evenings you’ll go back to your volunteer home to hang out and plan for the next day.

Outside of arranged cultural immersion trips and excursions where you’ll have opportunities to experience some of Jamaica’s most amazing attractions, we continually look for eye-opening cultural activities for you to do in your free time.

Because of this we sometimes offer you opportunities to attend local events in the afternoons organized by our cultural ambassador/project coordinator.

Activities such as Jamaican dancing lessons, patois classes, and Jamaican storytelling are designed to keep you entertained, but more importantly, to further help you learn the Jamaican culture.

On the last Friday night before your departure, we have ‘Jamaica Night’ – where we will display some of Jamaica’s most popular food, play popular Jamaican music and also give volunteers the opportunity to showcase what they’ve learned about the Jamaican culture as well as showcase their own culture. 

Concert/
Music
Shopping/
Souvenirs
Hiking
Sports

Require­ments

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.
Language Skills
You need to speak English (basic level)
Criminal Background Check
required
Nationality Restrictions
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
Other Skills
To work on this project no prior experience is required but you must have love, compassion, flexibility and adaptability.
Time Commitment
Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 09:00 - 16:00

What's Included

Services by Jamaica Volunteer Programs

  • Pre-arrival assistance
  • Airport-pickup
  • Welcome Dinner on Arrival
  • Program Orientation
  • Accommodation
  • Daily Breakfast & Dinner (Except Saturdays & Sundays)
  • Volunteer Placement
  • Daily Project Transfers with Private Driver
  • Internet access
  • 24/7 in-country support
Airport Pickup at Norman Manley International Airport

Volunteers will arrive at the Norman Manley International Airport and our representative will meet you on arrival.

A Jamaica Volunteer Programs coordinator will conduct orientation on the morning of the day the project starts. During this first meeting, you will be introduced to local staff who will take care of you and go over the details of your project placement. Your orientation will include popular Jamaican customs & culture, safety, weekend and free time travel options, and guidelines and expectations.

During your orientation, you will also be briefed on information about all the Covid-19 protocols, options for local transportation, currency, and other support services you will require during your stay.

Accommodation

Nestled on top of the picturesque hill of Smokeyvale, St. Andrew is a secret hideaway called Smokey Manor. With breathtaking sceneries of the Blue Mountains to the East and a spectacular view of Kingston to the South, Smokey Manor is an artist’s dream to paint. This community is a visual feast of ferns, flora, and fauna. Everywhere you turn, there will be towering fruit trees, cool breeze, and panoramic mountains.

Our accommodation has electricity, running water, western-style bathrooms, and free Wi-Fi. You are required to bring your reusable water bottle to refill each day, which will help to reduce your cost for clean drinking water. You are also required to bring toiletries.

Rooms
Rooms are equipped with fans, but there is the option to pay an additional charge for air conditioning.

We have 3 Dorms:
Dorm 1 sleeps 8 persons of the same sex
Dorm 2 sleeps 4 same-sex
Dorm 3 sleeps 4 of the same sex
Sometimes when we have overflow we use the double rooms for volunteers, especially for males which are usually in smaller numbers.

We have 4 other rooms for single and double occupancy with own private bathroom. These are offered at a higher rate. If you want to upgrade and we have space we can offer quotes for these.

Our property offers lots of patios, terraces, and open spaces.
To make quick snacks, we have a kitchen with utensils, a refrigerator, and a microwave.

Food
At JVP, we offer daily breakfast and dinner which includes, many of the popular foods Jamaicans eat.
We cater to all diets, including vegetarians and vegans. To request meals for your special diet, contact us.

Relaxation
Our relaxation areas include:
Upstairs lounge room
Court for basketball or any other sport or outdoor activity
Large open ground for strolling or sun bathing

We also have:
A BBQ pit for our delicious BBQ Chicken dinners
Towering fruit trees:
Avocados, pears, mangoes, Otaheite apples
Breadfruit (a popular dish),
Ackee (our national dish)

Bedroom (Double) Bedroom (Single) Dorm Room
Food & Beverages

You’ll be served daily breakfast and dinner from Monday - Friday at the volunteer house as part of your package. We offer a basic daily breakfast that includes toast, eggs, fruits, tea/coffee, and juice. Two days per week, you’ll have a full Jamaican breakfast. 

For breakfast and dinner on the weekends, you may use our communal kitchen at the volunteer accommodation with access to amenities like a gas stove, oven, kettles, microwave, and fridge. Alternatively, you can access nearby restaurants offering meals between $5-8.

In Jamaican homes, you’ll find a variety of foods and drinks which are as varied as the people and scenery, and you’ll be able to sample all of them including the popular jerk, roast breadfruit, and ackee & saltfish (the national dish).

Our home-cooked food is a melting pot of all the cultures brought here during slavery and the plantation era and staying in a Jamaican home is the best place to sample these. At our homestays, you’re guaranteed the most delicious, nutritious meals made from organic ingredients.

You will, however, have to buy lunch at or near your project site. Our program advisors will help you make arrangements for an affordable lunch or show you how to find the closest food store.

At JVP, we cater to all diets, including vegetarians and vegans. To request meals for your special diet, discuss with your project coordinator.

Internet Access
Good access at the project site
What's NOT included?
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
Flight Tickets
The nearest airport is Norman Manley International Airport (KIN) in Kingston. We assist you to find cheap flights to Jamaica.
Travel Insurance
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Jamaica provides security and is a plus to have.
Vaccines
If you are intending to volunteer in Jamaica you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Jamaica.

Dates & Fees

NO CREDIT CARD FEES

Details on arrival

We Offer Programs 

  • From March 14 until June 18
  • From Mid-November to December

Although we are flexible, we encourage volunteers to arrive on weekends so you'll have a full week to volunteer. There are times during the year when Jamaica has major holidays and celebrations, so it is advisable to plan your trip that your dates do not coincide with these major events. 

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Duration
1 - 12 weeks

Program fees

Costs: Prices in USD
1 week (min. stay)
$750
2 weeks
$1,230
3 weeks
$1,650
4 weeks
$2,100
12 weeks (max. stay)
$5,700
Average fees
$613 /week

Please note that the above shown program fees are estimated. Jamaica Volunteer Programs will let you know about the final price during your application process.
Deposit (15%)
The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.
Final Payment (85%)
Your final payment will be agreed with Jamaica Volunteer Programs during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

Why book with Volunteer World

Extra security layer by Volunteer World
Volunteer World is the world's leading comparison platform for international volunteer opportunities. We guide you through a safe and easy application process - including all necessary payments. Planning your next meaningful trip with Volunteer World gives you free access to our:
Quality Assurance
High ethical standards & transparent social impact
Flex Option
Change your reservation at no extra costs
Refund Guarantee
We refund your fees if Jamaica Volunteer Programs cancels your trip
Support & Mediation
We cover your back no matter what happens
Our services are free of charge!
All program fees are charged directly by Jamaica Volunteer Programs.

What are people saying about Volunteer World?

Local Elderly Care Supporter

Many Jamaicans cannot afford to offer support and care to elderly relatives. You can make a difference by caring for senior citizens, who are needy and chronically ill.

$613/week

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