Are you a pre-health student seeking a unique volunteer experience interacting with patients and their caregivers?

“A Friend for Rachel” affords students with professional interests in healthcare with a unique learning experience and volunteer opportunity. Students provide ongoing companionship to people with early-moderate stage dementia and their caregivers.

Currently, more than 6 million Americans (1 in 9 of people over 65) are diagnosed with dementia. As people diagnosed with memory loss continue to increase, all health professionals, no matter what their role, must understand the needs of people with dementia and their caregivers.

As a “friend,” you can:

• Help people with early-moderate stage dementia continue to enjoy their interests, stay active, be involved in meaningful activity, develop new relationships, and avoid isolation.
• Help provide respite time and provide support for their family caregiver.
• Gain a thorough understanding of dementia, which is considered a public health crisis.
• Develop a meaningful relationship with a person with dementia.
• Develop better communication and listening skills.

Requirements: (Must be a junior, senior, or post-bacc to apply)

1. Complete an application and interview
2. Attend monthly zoom training sessions (For fall:) Sep. 29, Oct. 13; Nov. 10; Dec. 8, 4 sessions 2nd semester
3. Spend 3-4 hrs/week with your “friend”
4. Meet monthly with the family caregiver
5. Meet once a month with AFFR small group on zoom
6. Write 2 reflections per month on your experiences and learnings.

Some of topics covered in training sessions include:

• Understanding dementia and cognitive impairment
• Understanding caregiver burden
• Pursuing quality of life and meaningful activity tailored to the individual utilizing art, music, horticulture
• Effective communication skills for interacting with patients and families
• Understanding behaviors and why they have meaning

FOR MORE INFORMATION: PLEASE ATTEND THIS INFORMATION SESSION AT LERNER 401 ON SEPTEMBER 11 AT 5:30 PM and check out their website: https://afriendforrachel.webflow.io. PLEASE RSVP SO WE CAN UPDATE YOU ON ANY FUTURE ANNOUNCEMENTS.

To apply, please complete the application on their website https://afriendforrachel.webflow.io no later than Sept. 20. Interviews will be held Sept. 25.