Volunteering At The Nursing Home

Brad Cook

Inspiration

Great Grandma

Alzheimer’s 2009

Life Changing

Hard to understand what was going on

Research Paper

Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia 18 million worldwide with disease More than 50% of residents in a

Nursing Home or Assisted Living have a form of Dementia or Alzheimer’s

Seven Stages› Hard to specify, Overlapping stages› Care needed, symptoms, and behavior all

depends on the patient’s current stage of the disease

Finding a Location

Calling and talking with owners, managers, and employees of the centers

Comparing and contrasting different centers

Explaining why I was interested in volunteering

Why I Chose Cameron Hall

Memory Clinic Friendly Environment Location Project Facilitator It’s an Assisted Living Center, NOT a

Nursing Home› Independence› Comfort in knowing there’s help

Project Facilitator

Ruth Payne

Activities Director Mother stayed at

Cameron Hall Activities Director 10 years of

experience

The Purpose

Bring happiness into the resident’s lives

Show the Senior Citizens that teenagers do care about them

Invest into the resident’s lives Volunteer work Make friendships Learn from Elders Participate in Activities

The Product

Volunteering at Cameron Hall and making an impact in the lives of the residents› Helping clean, talking with residents,

participating in activities/events, serving meals, etc.

Ultimately, I will be presenting Cameron Hall with a scrapbook, so that they can look back and reminisce on the past year that I have been with them

Key Reminders

Mostly common sense, although often overlooked› Touching person’s hand or forearm when

talking to them› Talking loudly and clearly (it’s not rude)› Cleanliness and sanitary› Never put yourself in a “situation”› Be patient, some residents can be very

repetitive

What we Did

Coordinate and participate in Activities with residents, such as:› Parties, dinners, games, crafts, etc.

Talking with residents› Having someone to talk to makes a huge

of difference› Listening to stories about their life› Simply having company

Games

Helping Employees

Building Friendships

Challenges

Keeping priorities set straight Finding the right place to go Having patience with the residents Not doing well with spur of the moment

plans and decisions The death of my Nana

Future Plans

Attend Point University to run Cross Country and pursue a career in Middle Grades Education

Continue volunteering at Cameron Hall

Form a club in college at which we will also volunteer at a local Nursing Home

Taking From This Experience

I would love to pursue this further, however only as a volunteer

I have gained a huge amount of respect and patience for all Senior Citizens.

All you have to do is listen, and you can learn so much

Amazed at the impact Cameron Hall has made in my life

Thankful for such a life changing opportunity

Thank You For Your Time

Are there any questions?