Opportunities

This post may contain affiliate links, and I will be compensated (at no extra cost to you) when you make a purchase by clicking on my links. 

Are you a musician looking for more opportunities to share your talent and love of music with other people? Have you ever considered providing musical entertainment at a nursing home?

Most residents love to hear and see live music. In addition, you’ll add variety and joy to their days.

I want to preface this article by letting you know that I’m not a musician. However, I’ve sat in on many music programs during my time as a nursing home volunteer. So, if you have experience providing musical entertainment at nursing homes, I would love to see you add your suggestions in the comment section.

[Read more…] about Interested In Becoming A Nursing Home Musician?

This post may contain affiliate links, and I will be compensated (at no extra cost to you) when you make a purchase by clicking on my links. 

Several months ago, I published a post about Understanding the Dying Process in which I mentioned a program at our nursing home called Garden Angels. A reader recently asked for more details about our program, and I’m happy to share that information with you today.

Someone at our nursing home came up with the name Garden Angels several years ago, but there are similar programs across the country. We are simply a group of volunteers who keep vigil at the bedside of residents who are actively dying.

We hope that a dying resident will always have a family member or friend at their bedside when they leave this life. However, this is not always possible.

[Read more…] about Keeping Vigil With A Dying Resident

This post may contain affiliate links, and I will be compensated (at no extra cost to you) when you make a purchase by clicking on my links. 

The annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s is just around the corner. Is your team ready? (Check out my previous post for lots of ideas on how to recruit team members!)

The Alzheimer’s Association sponsors this walk in communities all across the USA on a variety of dates between August and November. With a distance of 2-3 miles, people of all ages and abilities participate. You can find a walk near you through the search bar on their website.

While there is no registration fee, individuals and teams raise donations to help support the mission of the Alzheimer’s Association:

[Read more…] about Why I Support The Walk to End Alzheimer’s

This post may contain affiliate links, and I will be compensated (at no extra cost to you) when you make a purchase by clicking on my links. 

Do you ever wonder if your dog would make a good nursing home therapy dog? Perhaps you’ve considered this possibility after watching the heartwarming responses from residents when they see a dog in the nursing home.

While I’m a strong advocate for pets living onsite in nursing homes, visits from therapy dogs are also very beneficial to residents. These benefits include:

• entertainment
• companionship
• increased self-esteem
• physical touch
• unconditional acceptance
• socialization
• increased physical activity
• lessening of depression
• reduction in anxiety

[Read more…] about Would Your Dog Make A Good Therapy Dog?

This post may contain affiliate links, and I will be compensated (at no extra cost to you) when you make a purchase by clicking on my links. 

Each month, I like to share an opportunity that helps you expand your reach as a volunteer. Today, let’s look at the role of the parish nurse (also called a faith community nurse) in the long-term care setting.

What is a Parish Nurse?

According to NCF, parish nursing is defined as, “With a focus on intentional care of the spirit, they assist members of the faith community to maintain or regain wholeness in body, mind, and spirit”.

Most parish nurses work in conjunction with a church, although some are employed by health care facilities or social service agencies. Many parish nurses receive a salary while others volunteer their services.

[Read more…] about What Is A Parish Nurse?