SMART Volunteers
SENIOR VOLUNTEERS
As a senior volunteer (60+), there are three ways you can take part in this program: Senior Research Advisor, Senior Research Participant, Senior Mentor. Participation can include one, two, or all three, and it’s up to each individual, when, where, and how often they participate in any given role.
All personal information will be stored in a secure database updated and accessed by only SMART personnel. No researchers or trainees will have access to any personal information. As a SMART volunteer, you are under no obligation to participate in any or all studies. Your participation is completely voluntary and at your discretion. You can also request to be removed from the database or change your role at any time.
Senior Research Advisors
As a Senior Research Advisor you would provide key information to researchers about the needs of seniors.
You may therefore serve as a key informant on how best to recruit other seniors, or be consulted on issues of design and instrumentation. For example, you may be asked to provide advice on the wording of questions, the size and type of font used on a questionnaire, or the appropriateness of particular interview questions.
Senior Research Participants
As a Senior Research Participant you would be sent regular updates on senior-specific studies taking place across the province. The variety, commitment, and reimbursement for studies would vary according to each individual project.
Examples of participation could include telephone surveys, in-depth interviews, blood samples, etc… Depending on which method of contact you choose, you would receive all relevant study information, with the option of contacting the particular study/studies for more information or to enrol.
Senior Mentors
As a Senior Mentor, you would provide mentorship to trainees in an educational capacity. The majority of these students would be in professional programs and most likely be working with older adults.
Programs could include nursing, physiotherapy, and medicine, among others. Finding a suitable student trainee match, you would provide support and guidance through key parts of the student’s program, thus preparing future practitioners for professional practice and research with seniors.
If you are interested in taking part in this program, please contact Krista Frazee at krista_frazee@sfu.ca