Volunteer with your local Alzheimer Society
At the Alzheimer Society we believe we can best achieve our mission and goals through the active participation of volunteers from the communities we serve!
Our volunteers are vital to supporting health promotion, advocacy, and support services to people with dementia, those at greatest risk of developing dementia and their care partners.
Throughout our locations we provide a welcoming and fulfilling environment for volunteers to contribute their time and talents, in-person and virtually.
Group Program Assistant
Provide support or backup to Group Facilitators to assist with seminars and groups, opportunities could be after-hours, off-site, virtually and/or in-person.
Group Facilitator
Facilitate or co-facilitate recreation or social groups for persons living with dementia and/or their care partners, friends or families.
In Home Social Recreation
Deliver client-specific recreation activities and social opportunities to persons living with dementia in the home. The aim is to stimulate memory and improve confidence and overall quality of life while providing a weekly break for both the individual and the caregiver.
Teleconnect
Support persons living with dementia and/or their care partners, by making outreach calls to offer the opportunity for social connections, information and support, allowing them to cope more effectively, as well as reducing isolation and increasing independence.
Administrative Support
Assist our program and/or administrative staff with in-office support which could include any of; research, data entry, filing and connecting the community to our services.
Events
Raise community awareness of Alzheimer Society programs, services and activities through community education opportunities and fundraising events including signature events or hosting your own ‘Anything for Alzheimer’s’ event.
Do I need to get a Police Check to volunteer?
Some volunteer positions require a Vulnerable Sector Check, to be obtained from the local Police Service in the community where you live.
How much does it cost?
The Police Services around the coverage area of our organization have different policies and fees associated with Police Checks.
Please check the Police Check tab on your local Police Service’s website for more information as it applies to you. Some forces have no fee if the organization requesting it provides a letter, which we will provide where needed.
Can I be reimbursed for the cost if there is one?
Yes, if there is a cost, it is possible to be reimbursed. Please forward a copy of the receipt to your area Coordination of Volunteer Engagement. You will be reimbursed upon presenting a clear Criminal Record Check or a Vulnerable Sector Check.
Do volunteers need to be vaccinated for Covid-19?
Yes, due to the fragile population we work with, and for the safety of our staff, all volunteers with our organization need to be doubly vaccinated for Covid-19.
Can I get my high school volunteer hours?
Yes, we do offer volunteer opportunities for people under 18 years of age that do involve working directly with clients.
I have dementia, can I volunteer with the Alzheimer Society?
Yes, we encourage those along their dementia journey to volunteer. We endeavor to match the skills and interests of those that apply to the current roles available.
We are seeking individuals who share our vision that people with dementia live well as vital and integral members of their community, and who are committed to offering their knowledge and expertise in support of this vision.
We welcome applications from all regions we serve.
The Opportunity
The number of Canadians living with dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease is rising sharply, and we are seeing a rapid increase in demand for services in the communities served by our Society. At the same time, the healthcare sector in Ontario is undergoing a period of transformation.
Our Society is seeking directors who can apply leadership, professional insight, and innovative thinking to further the work of our Society during this exciting time of growth and transformation.
Roles & Responsibilities
We welcome applications from all interested parties, however we are specifically seeking applications individuals with the following professional backgrounds:
- Finance
- Insurance
- Marketing & Communications
The Board operates under a governance model. Directors are expected to stay informed about issues related to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, participate in the work of committees, and actively support the fundraising efforts and events of the organization. Membership requires a minimum commitment of three (3) hours per month – including attendance at monthly meetings of the Board and participation on Committees of the Board.
Commitment to Accessibility & Equitable Recruitment
The Alzheimer Society is an equal opportunity employer and we are dedicated to building a workforce, including volunteers, that reflects the diversity of our communities in which we live and serve. We are also committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes in accordance with the Human Rights Code and AODA and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment process.
The Alzheimer Society welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity and social justice and we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, Black and persons of colour, persons with disabilities, people living with dementia, care partners and those who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.
If you have questions or require further assistance, please email Jennifer.gold@alzda.ca
Vol Board Form
MISSION
People with dementia are at the centre of everything we do. The Alzheimer Society leverages its own and community resources to deliver health promotion, advocacy and support services to people with dementia, those at greatest risk of developing dementia and their care partners.
We embrace the Alzheimer Society of Canada’s mission to alleviate the personal and social consequences of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and to promote research.
Although Marilyn knows that people living with dementia greatly benefit from music, she said the importance of the music program for care-partners cannot be overlooked. While the person listens to music, a care-partner can relax and have a moment, knowing that the person with dementia is happy and calm. Music can be a real bright spot in someone’s day.
As a volunteer, Kate will be supporting the Public Education and Social Programming Staff as a co-host for programs. In this role, Kate will be playing an integral role in helping persons living with dementia, as well as supporting the work of the organization to achieve our mission.
Several year ago, Sandra watched her mother struggle with a dementia diagnosis. As a lifelong lover of music, Sandra saw the pleasure and movement that listening to favourite pieces could provide. One of her best-loved memories if of her mother pulling down the headphones and asking “how did you know that was my dad and my favourite song?” Now she sees those same glimpses of joy when she speaks to care partners who share “he just loves it, he sits there listening with a big smile.”
Meet Our Volunteers
Whether answering the phones, making check-in calls, helping with events, or serving on our Board of Directors, volunteers are integral members of the Alzheimer Society team.
Although Marilyn knows that people living with dementia greatly benefit from music, she said the importance of the music program for care-partners cannot be overlooked. While the person listens to music, a care-partner can relax and have a moment, knowing that the person with dementia is happy and calm. Music can be a real bright spot in someone’s day.
As a volunteer, Kate will be supporting the Public Education and Social Programming Staff as a co-host for programs. In this role, Kate will be playing an integral role in helping persons living with dementia, as well as supporting the work of the organization to achieve our mission.
Several year ago, Sandra watched her mother struggle with a dementia diagnosis. As a lifelong lover of music, Sandra saw the pleasure and movement that listening to favourite pieces could provide. One of her best-loved memories if of her mother pulling down the headphones and asking “how did you know that was my dad and my favourite song?” Now she sees those same glimpses of joy when she speaks to care partners who share “he just loves it, he sits there listening with a big smile.”
Now, after 2 years of volunteering at the office, Ingrid enthusiastically shared that although she may not have lived someone’s exact experience, she can empathize and with compassionate and understanding, share her own journey. “It’s easy to empathize as for many years I was a caregiver for a loved one living with dementia.”
Making a positive difference means a lot to George. Volunteer visiting shows him the impact he can make on the lives of others. As an empathetic volunteer, George can put himself in someone else’s shoes. Being of the similar age and stage of life as a large segment of people living with dementia and their care partners, he can relate to what they must be going through. They have a lot in common. At the end of the day, George wants to do what he can to make their lives a little better.
Cathie wants to volunteer because she likes being helpful and active as well as doing things with purpose. She just started volunteering and has already found a role that suits her perfectly. She feels that her orientation and training for the role have given her the needed tools to be confident and successful in her role. Cathie will be assisting intake with inputting referrals. She enjoys administrative tasks and keeping busy, and appreciates the importance of completing routine administrative tasks to free up time for staff to connect and interact with clients.
