Everyone has heard of Alzheimers. How often, though, have you heard talk about the family and friends of an affected individual? Oft overlooked, the primary caregivers of individuals living with Alzheimer’s (as with any serious disease, I’m sure) are more than self-sacrificing. Their lives can often become completely centered around the affected individual. Buying groceries can become the biggest inconvenience, personal time non-existent; worse, the caregiver might become completely unrecognizable to his/her loved one.
These reasons are why I become involved in the Alzheimer’s Project of Tallahassee, a non-profit which assigns volunteer caregivers (like myself) to families in need. The volunteers visit the families on a weekly basis and engage the individual suffering with Alzheimer’s in conversation, crafts, and even outings, while the primary caregiver is given some much-needed personal time. Often, these few hours a week can make all of the difference in that person’s life.
If you are looking for a great volunteer opportunity, be sure to check out whether or not such an organization is working in your area – trust me, my family-in-need’s heart felt gratitude is better than any paycheck.
Need more information? Check out this site!
