Dementia-friendly walking group volunteer

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In partnership with Oregon Walks, we are piloting a new social engagement program in the Portland-metro area.

Dementia-friendly walking groups are social engagement opportunities for people living with memory loss and their loved ones. Exercise and social connection have been shown to improve health, mood, sleep, and cognitive functioning in older adults. By blending physical and social activity into one program, dementia-friendly walking groups can promote health, reduce feelings of isolation, and improve overall quality of life.

Due to social-distancing measures and periods of quarantine that came with the COVID-19 pandemic, we know that many elders in our community have been lacking much-needed social interaction. We're excited to be able to gather fully-vaccinated people together outdoors, following CDC, state, and local mask and physical distancing guidelines.

No specific experience or qualifications are required for this volunteer role. We will provide you with early-stage social engagement training, background checks, and confidentiality agreements.

Some specific dementia-friendly walk volunteer roles that will help make this group successful are:

• Walk Organizer: Volunteer who is responsible for managing the logistics of the group. These responsibilities include maintaining a roster with up-to-date contact information, tracking participant paperwork and attendance, and communicating with the group (i.e., providing weekly reminders, alerting the group of program or route changes, and serving as the "point person" for participant questions).

• Leader: Volunteer(s) at the head of the group who lead the way, point out interesting sites, and keep the group moving.

• Sweep: Volunteer at the rear of the group who is responsible for counting people and making sure the group stays together. This becomes especially important in larger groups, groups that are open to people at all stages of dementia, and groups that have walkers with significantly different paces.

• Float: Additional volunteer(s) that help with ensuring the group stays together and who are available to help as needed.