HOW TO HELP DURING THE PANDEMIC
Due to Covid-19, it is not safe for volunteers to spend time at memory care facilities. Although the essential staff are present at the facilities, dementia patients still lack the extra interactions they got from volunteers. Whether it was playing games or music for the residents, we want to provide new, safe opportunities for volunteers to still help out at memory care facilities. Here is a virtual plan of how the community can get involved and donate some time to help put a smile on the faces of dementia patients.
PEN-PAL
In a period of isolation, a pen pal program is a great way to help dementia patients know that they are not alone. By simply writing about your day and asking about theirs, it will greatly help the patients. Your letters can start new conversations and trigger memories for the patients as they might relate to something from their life.
Volunteers can type their letters or write them and take a picture. We will set up a communication line between the volunteers and the local memory care facility so volunteers can directly email their letters to the facility.
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CARDS
Cards are a great way to show dementia patients that they are not alone. They are fighting a hard battle with their own mind, so it is helpful when they receive small tokens that show people care. Whether it is a happy birthday card or a general card to make them smile and get them through the day, cards are a great way to help them.
Volunteers can either make cards digitally (using Canva or other software) or make a card and take a picture of it, and then they can send it through this link. We will then send it to local memory care facilities and they will print it out for their residents.
MUSIC
It has been proven that music helps those with dementia. Music helps activate different parts of the brain, allows residents to recognize music from childhood, and decreases agitation and aggressive behavior. Volunteers can send a recording of themselves or an ensemble performing so the residents can enjoy some calming classical music or sing along to songs they recognize.
Please upload your video and submit the link so we can send it to local memory care facilities, and they can play it for their residents.