The Alzheimer Society of B.C. could use a little help in Ladner running its Minds in Motion program.
The society runs the social and fitness program for those in early-stage dementia, but it needs volunteers to help out about for about four hours a week.
Minds in Motion involves gentle exercises followed by social activities done in pairs, said a release. The program is for those in the early stages of dementia to attend with a family member, friend or other care partner.
The volunteers help participants, set up the room, and help out with games and activities.
Training and support is provided to all volunteers.
“Volunteers bring the energy up because they really want to be there,” says Lyanne Hui, a Minds in Motion coordinator for the Alzheimer society in Richmond.
“They make a big difference.”
Mary Beth Rutherford, a Minds in Motion coordinator, said volunteers are ambassadors in the community. “The program has been able to expand because we have volunteers sharing their experience,” she said.
However, the society said it urgently needs volunteers in Ladner to ensure the continued success of the program.
Sometimes, a volunteer’s background and skillset can meet the needs of participants in ways they might not foresee.
“We had two Korean-speaking people who were struggling to participate,” said Celia Toews who runs the program in Ladner with the society.
“One of our volunteers also spoke Korean and was able to talk to them and connect on a deeper level. They taught me a lot about how to connect with someone experiencing a language barrier.”
Anyone interested in volunteering can check out the website at alzbc.org/volunteer to explore the opportunities available and learn more about the impactful work they do.
