Caregiver Support Group Facilitator with Alzheimer's Association

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Alzheimer's is robbing us of our families, our futures, and our finances. At the Alzheimer's Association, the network of more than 75 chapters is working relentlessly to advance world-class research, ensure access to gold-standard care and support, and engage mission-driven volunteers who make it happen.

Support Group Facilitators create a safe, open environment where people share their feelings, thoughts, and experiences in a combined effort to better cope with and manage the shared problems of dementia. The goal of Alzheimer's Association support groups is to provide emotional, social and/or educational support to group members. As facilitators, individuals may be responsible for general caregiver, adult children, spouse, gender-specific or language-specific groups.

Key Activities:

• Follow expectations and recommendations of the Caregiver Support Group Facilitator Manual, including participation in initial and ongoing training and submission of all required documentation to Chapter
• Set up, arrange, and prepare the room before and after each group
• Coordinate any speakers/presenters with local chapter staff
• Encourage participants to provide assistance and emotional support to one another
• Present pertinent Association materials and information to group members
• Connect members of the community with additional Association services by proactively making referrals to Alzheimer's Association programs and free 24/7 Helpline

• Ability to be empathetic and separate personal needs from group needs
• Strong listening and effective communication skills
• Ability to redirect and facilitate discussion as well as fulfill the duties and responsibilities as described in the Facilitator Agreement
• Ability to create and maintain a safe environment where participants' thoughts and feelings are valued and group members are treated with fairness, equity, and respect
• Commitment to promote the mission and services of the Association and willingness to act as an extension of the Association
• Experience with dementia as a family member or health care professional preferred

• Support Group Facilitators commit to a 1-year term delivering a monthly group
• Terms are renewable upon successful completion of annual goal-setting conversation with your staff partner
• Orientation includes general volunteer orientation + online program volunteer orientation and in-person support group facilitator training with a staff partner
• Support Group Facilitators must observe two groups in the community led by a staff or mentor
• Background checks are required as part of the volunteer selection process
• Comply with Alzheimer's Association volunteer policies and procedures
• Participate in initial training and ongoing education about Alzheimer's, dementia and the Alzheimer's Association

• Perfect your active listening and group management technique
• Serve your local community and people you care about
• Increase your knowledge of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias
• Be recognized in your community as a leader and resource for Alzheimer's disease and dementia
• Build your skill set
• Join a network of other volunteers, Alzheimer's Association staff and professionals and caregivers in the aging field

• Support Group Facilitators work with local staff partners
• This position is supported by the Program Manager at the Greater East Ohio Area Chapter
• Alzheimer's Association will provide training, information, and electronic or printed materials to assist in your efforts