Prospective Volunteers

  1. What is the time commitment for the program?
    Volunteers are expected to participate in one 60-minute TimeOut session per week.
  2. When is each session held?
    Sessions are held on weekdays between 1-4pm. Volunteers will be assigned a session based on their availability during this block of time.
  3. What can I expect at every session as a volunteer?
    At the beginning of the quarter, you will be paired with an older adult, who you will be getting to know throughout the quarter. During each session, you can expect to learn more about your partner through conversation and mentally stimulating activities. By the end of the quarter, you and your partner will get to know each other very well!
  4. Where can I apply?
    Participation is currently limited to existing UCLA Health Volunteers. Please contact Maribel Garcia for more information at [email protected].
  5. Are there any eligibility requirements?
    Participation is currently limited to existing UCLA Health Volunteers. Volunteers must also be UCLA undergraduate or graduate students.
  6. Who are the older adults in the program?
    Older adults include Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care patients from UCLA and Cedars-Sinai and cognitively healthy older adults from local senior living community sites.
  7. Will you be accepting new volunteers in the future?
    New volunteers will be accepted once UCLA Health volunteer onboarding resumes (currently on hold due to COVID-19 pandemic). If you would like to be put on a waitlist, please contact Maribel Garcia at [email protected].

New Volunteers

  1. What are the next steps after I contact the Program Manager?
    You will be contacted by the program manager with information on the onboarding process, including documentation and training requirements. This will require a background check/clearance process through UCLA Health. Please check your email for information regarding the process and next steps.
  2. Will I receive training prior to starting my participation in the program?
    All volunteers will receive training to prepare for their participation. Training materials and resources include an educational video, orientation module, and training manual. Students will also have an opportunity to shadow another senior/student session before beginning their scheduled sessions.

Current Volunteers

  1. What should I do if I cannot make it to a session?
    Please notify the program manager at least 24 hours before your missed session, unless it is an emergency. If you know early on that you have a conflict later in the quarter, please let the program manager know as soon as possible.
  2. How can I get research credit for volunteering with TimeOut?
    Volunteers can get 190/191 research credit by completing a research project or paper about your experience. You will need to set up this contract with Dr. Guerrero, so please contact her for more information.
  3. Are there any requirements I need to complete when the quarter is over?
    All volunteers will be asked to complete a brief feedback survey/interview at the end of the quarter. Responses are anonymous/confidential and will only be reported in aggregate.

Prospective Senior Participants

  1. What is the time commitment for the program?
    Seniors are expected to participate in at least one 60-minute TimeOut session per week. If interested, we can accommodate 2 sessions per week (contingent on student availability).
  2. When is each session held?
    Sessions are held on weekdays between 1-4pm. Participants will be assigned a session based on their availability during this block of time.
  3. What can I expect at every session as a participant?
    At the beginning of the quarter, you will be paired with a student, who you will be getting to know throughout the quarter. During each session, you can expect to learn more about the student through conversation and mentally stimulating activities. By the end of the quarter, you and the student will get to know each other very well!
  4. Are there any eligibility requirements?
    You must be referred by a UCLA or Cedars-Sinai provider or reside at a senior living community site we partner with. Referrals can be directed to the program manager. Once received, the program manager will reach out with more information and next steps.
  5. Are there any fees for participation in the program?
    This program offered free-of-charge. There are no fees for participation.
  6. Who are the students in the program?
    Our students are UCLA undergraduate or graduate student volunteers who are interested in careers in aging or healthcare. All students are processed through the UCLA Health Volunteer Office and undergo a background check.

New Senior Participants

  1. What happens after I am referred to the program?
    The program manager will contact the participant/family/caregiver to provide more information about program logistics and answer questions about the program.
  2. How will I know when and how to join the sessions?
    Once enrolled in the program, the program manager will follow-up with an email that includes the schedule and instructions on how to join the weekly video calls via Zoom Meetings.

Current Senior Participants

  1. What should I do if I cannot make it to a session?
    Please notify the program manager at least 24 hours before your missed session, unless it is an emergency. If you know early on that you have a conflict later in the quarter, please let the program manager know as soon as possible.
  2. Are there any requirements I need to complete when the quarter is over?
    A participant/family member/caregiver will be asked to complete a brief feedback survey/interview at the end of the quarter. Responses are anonymous/confidential and will only be reported in aggregate.

Connection Logistics

  1. Are there any technological requirements?
    A mobile or desktop device with internet connection is needed, as you will need to access the Zoom Meeting application to join the video calls.
  2. Do I need to know how to use the Zoom Meeting program?
    No experience is needed. The program manager will provide instructions on how to download, connect to, and navigate the application software. TimeOut staff will always be on hand to monitor and provide feedback on all the Zoom video call interactions.