Volunteer

Benefits of Volunteering

Volunteers are people like you who want to make a difference in their community. When you become an Alzheimer Society volunteer you have a chance to:

• Help make life better for those living with dementia
• Help improve the quality of community life
• Support a cause that you believe in
• Work with other members of the team to achieve a specific goal

Volunteering also helps you make a difference in your own life. You can:

• Use your professional skills in a new setting
• Meet other people who share your interests and passions
• Learn new skills and discover new talents
• Advance your career or gain experience and qualifications for future employment, scholarships, bursaries and academic programs
• Build your network and establish contacts in your field of interest
• Boost your health and reduce your stress
• Create a schedule that works for you
• Have fun!

Volunteer Opportunities

You can make a difference in the lives of people living with dementia. Our volunteers are provided with certified training programs to enhance their knowledge so they can go into their placements with confidence.

Friendly Visiting Volunteer

Happiness and companionship are such important parts of our lives and very important aspects of Alzheimer care. Our friendly visitors go to residential homes, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities or visit our clients via online platforms such as ZOOM and provide our clients with companionship and meaningful interaction. Friendly Visiting Volunteers can now report their volunteer hours using our volunteer time sheet.

Brain Wave Café Volunteer

The Brain Wave Café volunteer assists the program facilitator in implementing the social recreation programs offered to our clients and care partners. Cafés are offered in 4 local communities and are a safe place for clients of our organization to come together with their community, share a cup of coffee, discuss their experiences, and participate in meaningful brain-stimulating activities.

Bingo Volunteer

This customer support role is a very important part of our fundraising! This volunteer position allows us to raise funds for our many programs and services at the Alzheimer Society. Volunteers are asked to commit 2.5 hours monthly or biweekly.

Fundraising Volunteer

These volunteers help in all aspects of events, such as planning, marketing, and day-of-event assistance. Volunteers are crucial for the major fundraising events we hold including our Walk for Alzheimer's and the Peter Saracino Alzheimer Golf Classic. We are always looking for committee members to help with event organization.

Education Volunteer

Volunteers assist in educating the public and raising awareness about Alzheimer's disease and other dementias through our Aging and Dementia Simulation. The main objective of this program is to sensitize the participant to the losses associated with physical, sensory and memory in older adults.

Recollections Program Volunteer

The Recollections Program helps individuals living with dementia document their Life Story. Volunteers will meet with a participant once a week for 6 weeks and record the participant's answers to various questions. These answers will then be put into a 10-20 page keepsake book that the participant can cherish and share with others. View examples here.

Early Stage Program Volunteer

Volunteers assist with all of our Early Stage Programs and are particularly vital for helping during our monthly R.E.B.E.L. group meetings.

Tele-Care Friendly Visiting Volunteer

Tele-Care volunteers make calls at regular intervals to Tele-Care clients to offer them support and an opportunity to be connected with information and education being offered at their local Alzheimer Society and/or in their community. The purpose behind connecting people with resources is to assist them with coping more effectively in living well with dementia as well as reducing isolation and increasing independence.

Qigong Volunteer

Qigong (pronounced chee-gong) is an ancient Chinese exercise and healing technique that involves meditation, controlled breathing and movement exercises. Qigong volunteers will assist our facilitator in these online exercise classes.

Minds in Motion Volunteer

Minds in Motion® is a community-based social program that incorporates physical activity and mental stimulation for people with early to mid-stage signs of dementia and their care partners. Volunteers will assist our facilitator.

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors is a diverse group of professionals dedicated to ensuring the delivery of our mission. They are entrusted with overseeing the operation of the organization and are accountable to the general public. We are always seeking nominees for the Board whose maturity, expertise and wisdom will contribute to the effective governance of the Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region. If you are interested in joining our Board or know someone who is, please complete our Board Nomination Form.

Accessibility Commitment Statement

The Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region is committed to treating each person in a way that will allow them to maintain their independence and dignity. The Society believes in integration and equal opportunity. We are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner, and will do so by preventing and removing identified barriers to accessibility, educating employees and meeting the accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Testimonials

“With the Alzheimer Society, you are giving so much to the senior community: offering social activities, having fun, and helping our clients recall memories. Volunteering for me has been beneficial for these reasons, plus the joy I see on a client's face when they participate in our social activities."

"As a volunteer, the Alzheimer Society has given me a chance to give back to our community, especially when dealing with this terrible disease. I feel good about myself knowing that I make a difference in people's lives."

"As a volunteer, it makes me feel like the world is larger than my narrow scope and I'm grateful to be involved in improving someone's day."

Volunteer Spotlights

Our volunteers truly make a difference in the Niagara community. Learn more about some of our star volunteers below.