From Carrie Hill, PhD,
Your Guide to Alzheimer's Disease.
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When your life is affected by Alzheimer's, it's natural to want to join the cause. Now you know what others are going through. Now you know why it's so important to find a cure and to offer appropriate services for those currently living with the disease. There are many ways to join the fight against Alzheimer's -- the key is finding the volunteer opportunity that is right for you.

A.

First, decide what kind of volunteer work you want to do.

There are many factors to consider when deciding on a volunteer role. If you are currently a caregiver or someone with Alzheimer's, consider your energy level and availability. The last thing you want to do is burn yourself out by overcommitting.

Agencies and organizations that serve the Alzheimer's population need volunteers to:

• Perform office tasks -- whether you volunteer for a non-profit agency or a nursing home, all health-related organizations need help with filing, answering phones, assembling information packets, stuffing envelopes, or folding newsletters. Some of these tasks could be done outside of the office, if you would prefer a volunteer-from-home arrangement.

• Help at special events -- Most Alzheimer's charities hold at least one major fundraiser a year such as a walk or gala. Educational conferences and seminars are also common. Volunteers are needed with tasks like set-up, registration, greeting, and clean-up. This is a great way to contribute to the cause without having to make daily, weekly, or monthly time commitments.

• Raise money -- Alzheimer's organizations depend on grants and donations in order to survive. The more time staff members must dedicate to fundraising, the less time they have to provide services to families dealing with the disease. You can be a tremendous asset if you are willing to serve on a committee to organize fundraising events. If you have grant writing experience and are willing to share your skills, Alzheimer's charities will be eternally grateful to you.

• Serve on an advisory board -- Most Alzheimer's agencies must maintain an advisory board of community members to oversee programs and fundraising. It's important for agencies to have advisory board members who are caregivers or who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's to ensure that they are meeting the needs of Alzheimer's families. If you have previous experience in non-profit or business management, consider serving in this capacity. Boards usually meet no more than bi-monthly but provide essential guidance and oversight to local charities.

• Join a speakers bureau -- If you enjoy public speaking, think about joining a speakers bureau. Some Alzheimer's agencies serve large geographic areas, so it’s difficult for them to accept every speaking invitation. As someone directly affected by Alzheimer's, you can help an organization reach more people by sharing your wisdom and experience.

• Become an activist -- Are you a persuasive writer? Offer to write letters to Congress about the need for more funding for Alzheimer's research. Do you enjoy meeting new people? Volunteer to work at community fairs whenever the agency has an information booth. One of the biggest challenges faced by an Alzheimer's organization is raising awareness about its cause.

• Work directly with those affected by Alzheimer's -- Most people who have recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer's -- as well as most caregivers -- prefer not to work directly with others who have Alzheimer's for fear of burnout. They usually prefer to volunteer in a more indirect way that is just as valuable to the cause. However, if you are one of those rare individuals who is living with Alzheimer's at home and also wants to work with Alzheimer's individuals in a volunteer role, agencies will bend over backwards to accommodate your needs and be deeply grateful to you. While many direct service roles can only be filled by those with appropriate training and certification, volunteer roles can include socializing, helping with activities, and serving as a "companion" to those who require special attention.

  Second, find agencies and organizations in your neighborhood that serve the Alzheimer's community.

  These might include non-profit agencies, research centers, senior centers, adult day care centers, hospitals, assisted living facilities, or nursing homes. Your local phone book is a good place to start.

  Most areas have a local volunteer center -- also found in the phone book -- that serves as a clearinghouse for local volunteer positions. You can request positions that specifically deal with the fight against Alzheimer's and/or serve Alzheimer's families. Also, local newspapers often include announcements about great things local charities are doing for the community. Simply reading the paper is a great way to generate ideas about where to volunteer.

  The Internet is also a wonderful source of information about local and regional volunteer opportunities. The links at the end of this article will take you to national organizations that have chapters throughout the country and satellite offices in some rural locations.

  Make a short list of two or three organizations you'd like to approach. It's always good to check out more than one to make sure you find the right volunteer opportunity for you. Keep in mind that organizations might have a volunteer application process to make sure that there's a good match between your skills and their needs.

  Third, pick up the phone!

  Once you’ve decided what kind of volunteer work you'd like to do and found two or three organizations you want to approach, all you need to do is pick up the phone! Once you start seeing how you're making a difference by joining the fight against Alzheimer's, you’ll be so glad you became a volunteer.

  _Sources:

  Ten tips for volunteering wisely. USA Freedom Corps. 2007. http://www.usafreedomcorps.gov/for_volunteers/ten_tips/index.asp

  Volunteering. Alzheimer's Association. 2007. http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_volunteering.asp