There are 5 Hospital Elder Life Program Manuals. We have provided capsule descriptions of each below.

The Business Tools Planning Manual contains materials and tools to support new sites with developing the business case for HELP at their institution. This manual is designed to be a guide in the planning process, however prospective sites are encouraged to work closely with institutional departments such as Quality Improvement, Administration and/or Finance when developing the business case. The business tools found on the Tools/Resources page should be used along with this manual.

The Organizational and Procedural Manual (Overview and Structure) provides a comprehensive administrative overview of the program. The manual covers: program goals; establishing facility support; setting up the program; administrative structure; quality assurance procedures; strategies to improve adherence; and the volunteer component.

The Organizational and Procedural Manual (The Clinical Process) contains a detailed overview of the clinical components of HELP as they relate to older people. Sections are arranged chronologically (in order of how procedures would be applied in the hospitalization of an individual patient). The sections include: the screening and enrollment process, the interventions, and discharge and post-discharge procedures. Interventions are organized by the personnel involved (volunteer, geriatric nursing and interdisciplinary). Also included are educational interventions to improve geriatric expertise and references.

The Database Manual provides all of the assessments and data collection forms required for the program. Sample forms and worksheets are provided for all members of the HELP team. This paper-based system will allow any program to operate even without computer support initially.

The Volunteer Training Manual covers all program interventions for the volunteers who will perform them. Separate sections in the manual cover the daily visitor program, the therapeutic activities program, the early mobilization program and the feeding assistance program. The manual includes information on the overall volunteer responsibilities.