Purpose of Position: 

To lend support to the Alzheimer Society of Muskoka in areas of copying, filing, managing documentation, recording program information and reaching out to program participants through reminder calls for upcoming programs. 

Qualifications:

• Enthusiastic about the Alzheimer Society of Muskoka
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Publisher, and Excel an asset.
• Compassion, active listening and patience towards the population we serve
• Respectful, knowledgeable and sensitive to the populations we serve
• Sign oath of confidentiality
• Police check
• Dementia-friendly                                                                                                                                   
• Be willing to complete sensitivity training
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Professional presentation is a must

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Answer the phone (ex. “good morning Alzheimer Society of Muskoka *YOUR NAME* speaking” and take messages or transfer to Voicemail if staff is not in or place on Park if another staff is to pick up)
• Assist with program registration, including registration phone calls and list of participants 
• Library calls for outstanding books
• Assist with program outreach through phone calls
• Shred and empty shredding machine
• Clean anything that you see needs cleaning
• Photocopying
• Filing
• Restocking brochure rack
• Nesdatrak receipting and bank deposit preparation
• Writing thank you cards

Orientation and Training: 

• Initial orientation to the office 
• On the job training provided
• Additional training workshops are offered as needs and opportunities are identified 

Time: Varying schedule depending on need. 

Location: 1 – 239 Manitoba Street Bracebridge ON P1L 1S2

Commitment: On an as-needed basis. 

Purpose of Position: 

To lend support to the Alzheimer Society of Muskoka in areas of copying, filing, managing documentation, recording program information and reaching out to program participants through reminder calls for upcoming programs. 

Qualifications:

• Enthusiastic about the Alzheimer Society of Muskoka
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Publisher, and Excel an asset.
• Compassion, active listening and patience towards the population we serve
• Respectful, knowledgeable and sensitive to the populations we serve
• Sign oath of confidentiality
• Police check
• Dementia-friendly                                                                                                                                   
• Be willing to complete sensitivity training
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Professional presentation is a must

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Answer the phone (ex. “good morning Alzheimer Society of Muskoka *YOUR NAME* speaking” and take messages or transfer to Voicemail if staff is not in or place on Park if another staff is to pick up)
• Assist with program registration, including registration phone calls and list of participants 
• Library calls for outstanding books
• Assist with program outreach through phone calls
• Shred and empty shredding machine
• Clean anything that you see needs cleaning
• Photocopying
• Filing
• Restocking brochure rack
• Nesdatrak receipting and bank deposit preparation
• Writing thank you cards

Orientation and Training: 

• Initial orientation to the office 
• On the job training provided
• Additional training workshops are offered as needs and opportunities are identified 

Time: Varying schedule depending on need. 

Location: 1 – 239 Manitoba Street Bracebridge ON P1L 1S2

Commitment: On an as-needed basis. 

Purpose: To coordinate our weekly Coffee Social Program for caregivers and persons with Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias.  We offer this drop-in program for our clients to enjoy a time to engage with others, relax and enjoy refreshments.  If needed, a person with dementia should be accompanied by a caregiver who is responsible for their health and wellbeing.

Tasks/Responsibilities:

• Set up table and chairs
• Make coffee/tea, put out cookies
• Keep record of adequate supply
• Keep record of attendance
• Welcome guests as they arrive
• Distribute nametags
• Clean and lock up building

Qualifications: Reliable, good listener, compassionate, patient, understanding, reactive to client needs. 

Time commitment: 1 day per week from either 10 am – 12 pm or 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm, plus time for set up and clean up (approx. 2.5 hours). Would appreciate a 6 – 12 month commitment.

Orientation/Training: Volunteers will have the opportunity to shadow the Recreation Support Facilitator at the Coffee Social as often as required by the volunteer to feel comfortable.

Screening: Application, interview, police check, reference checks, probation, training completion is required.

Evaluation/Success measures: Success of this program is measured by attendance numbers of the group each week.

Supervision: Supervision will be by the Recreation Support Facilitator as needed.

Help the Alzheimer Society of Muskoka manage an information booth at various Health Fairs in Muskoka and Parry Sound. Your help is greatly appreciated in our endeavours to provide useful information to individuals and their families.

Duties:

• Arrive 15 minutes before the health fair begins.
• Pick up the donation box from the box office.
• Display the brochures and donation box on the table provided.
• Return the donation box to the box office.
• Give brochures to anyone who asks for them.  If any viewers have questions about the information or about Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, explain you are a volunteer and encourage them to phone the office at the number provided in the pamphlet.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills
• Dependable and punctual
• Enjoy meeting people
• Outgoing, personable
• Dementia-friendly  

Time Commitment

• Number of events to be determined.
• Event (s) may be during the week or occasionally on weekends.
• Approximately 4 hours spent at each event
• Ongoing position depending on desire to continue.

You will be provided with all materials needed for the event (s).

The IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer's is our biggest fundraising event for Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. There are many volunteer opportunities leading up to the event, as well as on the day of.

Help before the walk: Duties include envelope stuffing for mailout, calling past walkers, walk committee, and poster distribution.

Help on day of the walk: Duties include set up of tables, set up route signs, registration table, pet area, kid zone, food and beverage table, first aid station, and tear down.

There are two walks available in Muskoka to participate in: 

• Memorial Park, Bracebridge- Saturday, May 25, 2024, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
• River Mill Park, Huntsville- Sunday, May 26, 2024, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

For more information, please contact Michelle Dear at 705-645-5621 Ext. 115 or walk@alzheimermuskoka.ca

Objective: To assist the person with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias (ADOD) and their families by providing companionship for the person, delivering client-specific recreation interventions to stimulate memory, confidence, and overall quality of life, and providing relief for the caregiver.

Time Commitment: A minimum of 2 hours per week for 6 months.

Skills/Abilities:

▪ 19 years of age or older

▪ Creative in adapting to the needs of the person with dementia.

▪ Caring, compassionate and patient.

▪ Good active listening and communication skills.

▪ Ability to work independently.

▪ Ability to accept direction and to ask for help when needed.

▪ Reliable and dependable.

▪ Sensitive and non-judgmental.

▪ Good health and grooming.

▪ Car is helpful, but not required.

Responsibilities:

▪ To complete the Alzheimer Information Series (3 hours) training and the Meaningful Activity In Home (3 hours) training prior to first visit.

▪ To complete 3 sessions of Social Recreation programming in AlzSWP office before being matched.

▪ To meet individually with the Social Recreation Coordinator to review and learn the personalized intervention plan before first visit with client and family.

▪ To visit the person in their home with Social Recreation Coordinator at a prearranged time, convenient to both the family and the volunteer, to introduce self and activities.

▪ To be familiar with the background, skills and interests of the person, and the intervention plan prepared by the Social Recreation Coordinator.

▪ To provide enriching recreational experiences, using the intervention plan, for the person with dementia, taking into account the needs of that person.

▪ To maintain confidentiality of any information learned about the person and their family members, unless safety is a concern.

▪ To ensure that the person with dementia is safe and feels as secure and content as possible.  The volunteer should always carry a list of emergency telephone numbers, and the person’s medical information at all times.

▪ To complete an In Home Recreation Log after every visit and to send logs to the Manager of Volunteer and Social Recreation Services monthly. 

▪ To complete an incident report immediately following an incident of concern.

▪ To keep in regular contact with the Manager of Volunteer and Social Recreation Services and the Social Recreation Coordinator and discuss any areas of concern.

▪ To respect and adhere to the policies and procedures of the Alzheimer Society Southwest Partners.

▪ A willingness to update knowledge of ADOD through information available in our Society resource center and professional development workshops.

Boundaries:

▪ The In Home Recreation volunteer is not expected to, and should not; undertake any activities involving personal care of the person with dementia, such as lifting, bathing, feeding, dressing, toileting or administration of medication(s).

▪ The In Home Recreation volunteer is prohibited from giving medical advice.

▪ The In Home Recreation volunteer is prohibited from becoming involved in the legal and financial affairs of the person with whom they are matched (i.e. banking, Power of Attorney etc.)

Objective: To assist the person with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias (ADOD) and their families by providing companionship for the person, delivering client-specific recreation interventions to stimulate memory, confidence, and overall quality of life, and providing relief for the caregiver.

Time Commitment: A minimum of 2 hours per week for 6 months.

Skills/Abilities:

▪ 19 years of age or older

▪ Creative in adapting to the needs of the person with dementia.

▪ Caring, compassionate and patient.

▪ Good active listening and communication skills.

▪ Ability to work independently.

▪ Ability to accept direction and to ask for help when needed.

▪ Reliable and dependable.

▪ Sensitive and non-judgmental.

▪ Good health and grooming.

▪ Car is helpful, but not required.

Responsibilities:

▪ To complete the Alzheimer Information Series (3 hours) training and the Meaningful Activity In Home (3 hours) training prior to first visit.

▪ To complete 3 sessions of Social Recreation programming in AlzSWP office before being matched.

▪ To meet individually with the Social Recreation Coordinator to review and learn the personalized intervention plan before first visit with client and family.

▪ To visit the person in their home with Social Recreation Coordinator at a prearranged time, convenient to both the family and the volunteer, to introduce self and activities.

▪ To be familiar with the background, skills and interests of the person, and the intervention plan prepared by the Social Recreation Coordinator.

▪ To provide enriching recreational experiences, using the intervention plan, for the person with dementia, taking into account the needs of that person.

▪ To maintain confidentiality of any information learned about the person and their family members, unless safety is a concern.

▪ To ensure that the person with dementia is safe and feels as secure and content as possible.  The volunteer should always carry a list of emergency telephone numbers, and the person’s medical information at all times.

▪ To complete an In Home Recreation Log after every visit and to send logs to the Manager of Volunteer and Social Recreation Services monthly. 

▪ To complete an incident report immediately following an incident of concern.

▪ To keep in regular contact with the Manager of Volunteer and Social Recreation Services and the Social Recreation Coordinator and discuss any areas of concern.

▪ To respect and adhere to the policies and procedures of the Alzheimer Society Southwest Partners.

▪ A willingness to update knowledge of ADOD through information available in our Society resource center and professional development workshops.

Boundaries:

▪ The In Home Recreation volunteer is not expected to, and should not; undertake any activities involving personal care of the person with dementia, such as lifting, bathing, feeding, dressing, toileting or administration of medication(s).

▪ The In Home Recreation volunteer is prohibited from giving medical advice.

▪ The In Home Recreation volunteer is prohibited from becoming involved in the legal and financial affairs of the person with whom they are matched (i.e. banking, Power of Attorney etc.)

This is a volunteer opportunity with the Alzheimer Society of Muskoka for the Minds in Motion® program.

Minds in Motion® is a community-based social program that incorporates physical and mental stimulation for people with early to mid-stage signs of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias and their care partners.

• Minds in Motion® is an eight-week program delivered once weekly that combines physical activity with mental stimulation, in a social environment.
• The program is delivered at Municipal Recreation Centres, Older Adult Centres or similar multi-service centres to help normalize the experience for participants.
• The program was developed in British Columbia and results indicate improved physical and mental health for both people with dementia and their care partner.
• Minds in Motion® is not a fitness program, a social recreation program or a drop-in program.

Tasks/Responsibilities:

• Help with the set up and clean up of refreshments, games and activities for the program
• Assist the Minds in Motion® Coordinator to ensure activity participation and socialization. This may include spending one-on-one time with participants who need extra support.
• Under the direction of the Physical Activity Program Leader, provide one-on-one support to participants during the physical activity component of the program
• Assist with any other required tasks

Qualifications:

• Enjoy working with others, comfortable initiating conversation and including others
• Patient, friendly and fun; comfortable in a non-competitive, inclusive environment
• Have some experience communicating with older adults
• Be physically able to participate in the physical activity component of the program
• Commit to program at 8 week intervals
• Organized and pay attention to detail
• Reliable and able to follow instructions

Assets:

• Aware of the aging process
• Have basic knowledge and experience with dementia – training will be provided
• Experience working with persons with dementia and their care partners
• Physical activity or therapeutic recreation background

Time commitment:

• Three hours/week for eight-ten weeks:
• 30 minute set up, 2 hour program, 30 minute take down, clean up and de-brief.
• Programs run at least three times per year – trained volunteers are encouraged to return to assist with programs held throughout the year.

Orientation/training:

Volunteers will receive:

• Orientation to local Alzheimer Society and volunteer policies and procedures (approximately one hour)
• Orientation to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias (approximately three hours)
• Orientation to Minds in Motion® and specific role (approximately one hour)
• Access to Society’s more advanced dementia training (if applicable)

Supervision:

There will be on site supervision and de-briefing lead by the Minds in Motion® Coordinator.

A Police Records Check/Vulnerable Sector Screening is required for all volunteers. For those under the age of 18, parental or guardian approval is required.