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Opportunity Details

Early Stage Alzheimer's Support Group Facilitator

Alzheimer's Association Southeastern Virginia Chapter | http://www.alz.org/seva

Summary:

Right now, millions of Americans face the devastation of Alzheimer’s. This disease is robbing us of our families, our futures and our finances. At the Alzheimer’s Association, our network of more than 75 chapters is working relentlessly to advance world-class research, ensure access to gold-standard care and support, and engage mission-driven volunteers who make it happen.

 

Early Stage Support Group Facilitators create a safe, open environment where people living with memory loss and their care partners share their feelings, thoughts and experiences in a combined effort to better cope with and manage the shared problems of dementia. As facilitators, individuals provide dementia-related education, emotional support, and connections with resources so that group members may live their best life for as long as possible.

 

Key Activities:

  • Facilitate support group for people living with memory loss.
  • Follow expectations and recommendations of the Early Stage Support Group Facilitator Manual, including the handling of transition/termination of group members, participation in ongoing training and record keeping.
  • Participating with chapter staff in the screening of group participants at staff discretion.
  • Set up, arrange and prepare the room before and after each group.
  • Coordinate any speakers/presenters with local chapter staff.
  • Encourage participants to provide assistance and emotional support to one another.
  • Present pertinent Association materials and information to group members.
  • Connect members of the community with additional Association services by proactively making referrals to Alzheimer's Association programs & free 24/7 Helpline.

 

Qualifications:
  • Experience with dementia as a family member or health care professional preferred.
  • Experience working with people living in the early stages of chronic illness or dementia.
  • Ability to be empathic and separate personal needs from group needs.
  • Strong listening and effective communication skills.
  • Ability to redirect and facilitate discussion as well as fulfill the duties and responsibilities as described in the Facilitator Agreement.
  • Ability to create and maintain a safe environment where participants’ thoughts and feelings are valued and group members are treated with fairness, equity and respect.
  • Commitment to promote the mission and services of the Association and willingness to act as an extension of the Association.

 

Commitment Expected:
  • Early Stage Support Group Facilitators commit to a 1-year term delivering a monthly group. Terms are renewable upon successful completion of annual goal-setting conversation with your staff partner.
  • Orientation includes: online general volunteer orientation (1 hour) + program volunteer orientation (1 hour) + working with early stage training (1 hour) + self-study or in-person role training with staff partner (~4 hours).
  • Early Stage Support Group facilitators must observe 1 group in the community led by a staff or mentor plus review facilitation skills while being observed /evaluated by a staff or mentor prior to deployment in the community.
  • Background checks are required as part of the volunteer selection process.

 

 

 

 

  • Comply with Alzheimer’s Association volunteer policies and procedures.
  • Participate in initial training and ongoing education about Alzheimer’s, dementia and the Alzheimer's Association.

 

Benefits to the Volunteer:
  • Perfect your active listening and group management technique.
  • Serve your local community and people you care about.
  • Increase your knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
  • Be recognized in your community as a leader and resource for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
  • Build your resume and skill set.
  • Join a network of other volunteers, Alzheimer's Association staff and professionals and caregivers in the aging field.

 

Reporting & Support Provided:
  • Early Stage Support Group Facilitators work with local staff partners.
  • This position is supported by the Programs staff at the Southeastern Virginia Chapter.
  • Alzheimer's Association will provide training, information and electronic or printed materials in both English and Spanish to assist in your efforts.

 

Volunteer opportunities available throughout Tidewater including: Southside, Peninsula, Williamsburg, Western Tidewater and Eastern Shore. 

The opportunity date and time you are looking for is no longer available.
Health & Wellness

Age Minimum (with Adult): 18+

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