LYNN — Greater Lynn Senior Services is starting a volunteer workforce to assist people who are caregiving for someone living with dementia.
The volunteer workforce will consist of people who provide support for caregivers by checking in with them and helping them navigate some of the challenges that they face when it comes to balancing work, family, and caregiving responsibilities. Recruiting and training will occur within the next few months,
“A lot of people are affected by caregiving in different ways. And people often want to give back these days, and some people have a special spot in their heart for caregivers. So this gives us a way to honor people who want to be involved — and to provide more support for caregivers from people who really want to help them,” said Michele Parr, GLSS caregiver specialist.
The workforce is being funded via a $100,000 grant from the Healey-Driscoll Administration. Volunteers will be trained according to the teachings of Teepa Snow, an occupational therapist and dementia care specialist whose approach centers around showing compassion and respect for people who are living with dementia.
Parr said that the Snow method is gradually gaining traction throughout Massachusetts. The grant also allowed Parr to be trained in-person by Snow at her headquarters in North Carolina, and she now plans to share her knowledge with GLSS staff, volunteers, caregivers, and the public.
“We’re hoping that the outcome will be better care that’s really respectful and done right so people that are living with dementia are shining. The point of the Snow method is to shine,” Parr said.
Parr added, “People always see the negative and difficulties when it comes to dementia care. It is a very difficult experience for caregivers and for people who are living with dementia. But there can be light, and I don’t think we really see the light because we’re so busy trying to get through the day. If we can improve how the day goes, there will be a little more (positivity) happening.”
More information on caregiver resources can be found on the GLSS website.
