Objective: To assist the person with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias (ADOD) and their families by providing companionship for the person, delivering client-specific recreation interventions to stimulate memory, confidence, and overall quality of life, and providing relief for the caregiver.

Time Commitment: A minimum of 2 hours per week for 6 months.

Skills/Abilities:

▪ 19 years of age or older

▪ Creative in adapting to the needs of the person with dementia.

▪ Caring, compassionate and patient.

▪ Good active listening and communication skills.

▪ Ability to work independently.

▪ Ability to accept direction and to ask for help when needed.

▪ Reliable and dependable.

▪ Sensitive and non-judgmental.

▪ Good health and grooming.

▪ Car is helpful, but not required.

Responsibilities:

▪ To complete the Alzheimer Information Series (3 hours) training and the Meaningful Activity In Home (3 hours) training prior to first visit.

▪ To complete 3 sessions of Social Recreation programming in AlzSWP office before being matched.

▪ To meet individually with the Social Recreation Coordinator to review and learn the personalized intervention plan before first visit with client and family.

▪ To visit the person in their home with Social Recreation Coordinator at a prearranged time, convenient to both the family and the volunteer, to introduce self and activities.

▪ To be familiar with the background, skills and interests of the person, and the intervention plan prepared by the Social Recreation Coordinator.

▪ To provide enriching recreational experiences, using the intervention plan, for the person with dementia, taking into account the needs of that person.

▪ To maintain confidentiality of any information learned about the person and their family members, unless safety is a concern.

▪ To ensure that the person with dementia is safe and feels as secure and content as possible.  The volunteer should always carry a list of emergency telephone numbers, and the person’s medical information at all times.

▪ To complete an In Home Recreation Log after every visit and to send logs to the Manager of Volunteer and Social Recreation Services monthly. 

▪ To complete an incident report immediately following an incident of concern.

▪ To keep in regular contact with the Manager of Volunteer and Social Recreation Services and the Social Recreation Coordinator and discuss any areas of concern.

▪ To respect and adhere to the policies and procedures of the Alzheimer Society Southwest Partners.

▪ A willingness to update knowledge of ADOD through information available in our Society resource center and professional development workshops.

Boundaries:

▪ The In Home Recreation volunteer is not expected to, and should not; undertake any activities involving personal care of the person with dementia, such as lifting, bathing, feeding, dressing, toileting or administration of medication(s).

▪ The In Home Recreation volunteer is prohibited from giving medical advice.

▪ The In Home Recreation volunteer is prohibited from becoming involved in the legal and financial affairs of the person with whom they are matched (i.e. banking, Power of Attorney etc.)