Dementia Connector Volunteers
Dementia Connector volunteers will be trained to understand dementia, elder abuse, loneliness, and other challenges facing people living with dementia and their care partners and will work within the community to provide support to the person living with Dementia and their loved ones. Volunteers may engage with people living with dementia in several ways including supporting dementia friendly programs such as Trail Explorers, providing individual one-on-one friendly visiting, and by supporting participants getting connected to resources in the community. Volunteers will invite people living with dementia to engage in events or activities or provide information on community resources. Volunteers may also be given the opportunity to engage in various community programs and events throughout the year.
Purpose
To create a community that is supportive and accepting where people living with dementia feel safe and welcome and have the opportunity for social engagement and an increased quality of life. The outcomes we hope to achieve include an increased sense of belonging in our community for both participants and volunteers along with enhanced knowledge of services and resources in the community for both participants and volunteers.
Responsibilities
- Attend training to understand about dementia, elder abuse, loneliness, and other challenges facing people living with dementia. Read Stony Plain C&SD Overview, and take Senior Connect modules as they become available.
- Work as part of the Dementia Connections team and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the participants along with upholding open communication.
- Volunteers will commit to engaging in a minimum of one area of volunteer interest under the Dementia Project volunteer opportunities.
- Be knowledgeable about local community events and resources.
- Activity Assistants
- Duties could include: physical activity, engage with participants, provide community information and resource referral, seasonal and could include outside activities. This volunteer position requires a person to have a level of fitness that allows them to walk trails comfortably and a cell phone available for emergencies.
Examples of activities include:
Trail Explorers
Requirements:
- Understanding of project purpose and vision
- Good communication skills
- Inclusive and welcoming personality
- Working Cell Phone
- Current First Aid (recommended)
- Be physically fit to walk the trails
- Some computer experience
Commitment: Approximately 6-8 hours of training