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The Volunteer Companion Program…..

Volunteers are matched with a person who has Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia who is living at home. Companions share weekly recreational and social activities while caregivers take time for themselves. This program is offered free of charge. Training is provided for the volunteers who are also thoroughly screened.

Volunteer companion visits usually take place regularly every week and last for two or three hours. Some families prefer a more flexible schedule. Volunteers encourage their companion to participate in activities that they will enjoy, find stimulating and which will reflect their interests and abilities. This might be a walk, going for coffee, a game of cards, baking cookies, a drive in the country, curling, golf, looking at old photos, gardening, music, dancing, chatting about old times; all the sort of things that friends enjoy together.

This respite service would not be possible without the warmth and energy of dedicated volunteers.

Our Families…

• Want to welcome a volunteer companion into their homes.
• Have a family member who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease [mild to moderate stage] or a related dementia and who is living at home with a family member or friend.
• Live in Guelph or Wellington County. This service depends on the work and availability of volunteers.
• Know that our volunteers do not provide personal care.
• Will see that the person with dementia is registered with the Safely Home — Alzheimer Wandering Registry if there is a risk that they will leave the home and become lost.

Our Volunteers…

• Want to contribute to the well-being of families in the community by visiting a person with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia.
• Are able to make a regular time commitment to the program which will last for at least nine months. Of course there will be times when the volunteer is away on vacation or is unable, for other reasons, to visit.
• Will complete a training course.
• Will undergo a screening process which will include an interview, a Police Record Check and three references.
• Will be over 18 years of age.

If you would like to know more about being a volunteer companion please call Kit at 519-836-7672 or e-mail companion@alzheimer.guelph.org.

Copyright © 2002 Alzheimer Society of Guelph Wellington
Last modified: September 09, 2008