Facilitates or co-facilitates a group of caregivers for persons with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. The support group creates an environment for caregivers to receive/share support and education with others on a monthly basis.

The location for this group is already set and is held at Calvary United Methodist Church in Syracuse IN on the 4th Thursday of each month at 2pm.

Responsibilities:

• Attend basic and on-going training designed to provide current information, enhance skills and network with other support group facilitators.
• Submit monthly attendance sheets and meeting report forms to the chapter office in a timely manner.
• Promote member participation in chapter programs and services.
• Distribute chapter literature and information.
• Make arrangements for meeting room (and refreshments if desired).
• Notify the chapter office of support group meeting changes in a timely manner.
• Ensure confidentiality within the group. Group member names and addresses are confidential and can only be released to the Alzheimer’s Association.
• Conduct group meetings in accordance with the policies and procedures outlined by the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Indiana.
• Inform the Alzheimer’s Association of any questions and/or concerns related to the support group.

Skills Needed:

• Knowledge of and willingness to learn about and keep current on Alzheimer’s disease and its impact on families.
• Pertinent professional background and/or personal experience with Alzheimer’s disease.
• Comfort with the expression of a wide array of emotions
  
• Ability to separate personal needs and group needs.
• Strong listening skills.
• Sense of humor.
• Must not be a current caregiver.
  

Training:

• Potential Support Group Facilitator will attend new Support Group Facilitator/Volunteer training that will include: overview of AD, mission and resources of AA, affiliation guidelines, starting an Alzheimer’s support group, group process, group dynamics, group maintenance, and group evaluation.
• Attend and observe an existing support group meeting is required. Contact existing facilitator prior to observation.
• On-going trainings as required.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities or to submit an application, visit our website: http://alz.org/indiana/in_my_community_participate.asp