Helpful Tips

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. 

As I research volunteer programs at nursing homes around the country, I see many innovative orientation classes for new volunteers. I also discover ingenious ideas for volunteer appreciation events. What’s often missing, however, is ongoing education for those priceless volunteers.

Why is ongoing education so important?

• It’s easy to forget topics presented during initial orientation when participants are bombarded with so much information.
• This is a great opportunity for volunteers to discuss experiences, share ideas, and ask questions.
• It helps people understand that their role is important and that they are a valuable part of the team.
• Techniques and theories are always changing. This is an opportunity to update everyone on the latest trends in long-term care.
• It strengthens the relationship between volunteers and their supervisors.
• Volunteers enjoy getting to know each other better in an informal setting.
• It helps volunteers stay interested and motivated.

[Read more…] about Why Volunteers Need Ongoing Education

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. 

If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you know that I post activity ideas at least a couple of times each month. Recently, I received a question from a nursing home volunteer. He asked if I can provide more information about how to adapt activities for residents living in memory care units.

I believe nearly any activity is adaptable for people living with dementia. How to do this depends upon the interests and abilities of the individual resident. With this in mind, I decided to share a few general principals for creating memory care activities.

[Read more…] about How To Adapt Activities For Memory Care

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 best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” —Mahatma Gandhi

Are your teens looking for something meaningful and enjoyable to do over the long weeks of summer break? I have the perfect solution in this popular post from last year.

Here are 7 great reasons why your teenager should consider volunteering at a nursing home:

[Read more…] about 7 Reasons For Teens To Volunteer In Nursing Homes

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. 

I’m thrilled that summer is finally just around the corner! This means excitement is building for several walks and runs coming up in our area to raise money for charities. So I decided this is a good time to re-post a popular article from last year. I’ve also added a few extra tips I picked up along the way.

Besides raising money for our own nursing home, we feel it’s important to support other organizations that help our residents. Over the years, we’ve taken part in walks and runs to raise money for a variety of causes. This includes helping people living with diabetes, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Taking part in fundraisers for charities benefits your nursing home in several ways:

[Read more…] about 7 Tips To Recruit People For Charity Walks

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. 

 

Today I’m sharing an adaptation of an article I wrote for SixtyandMe. I hope you’ll consider joining this dynamic community of women embracing life after age 60.

How well do you know your neighbors? According to the National Alliance For Caregiving, 34.2 million Americans provided unpaid care to an adult age 50 or older in the last 12 months. The NAFC also reports that the average family caregiver spends 24.4 hours per week providing care. That’s a lot of time on top of their many other responsibilities. So chances are good that someone in your neighborhood is a caregiver and could use some extra care themselves.

I trust you’ll find these 6 tips helpful as you care for the caregivers in your neighborhood.

[Read more…] about Caring For The Caregiver Next Door