Alzheimer’s Buddies

Who are we?

NAB functions by pairing college students with residents in local Alzheimer’s/dementia care facilities for weekly one-on-one visits. These students work with both family members and staff to determine the best way to utilize their visits in order to learn more about the interests and lives of the residents, thereby forming connections that help combat the isolation often felt by residents in such facilities. Additionally, NAB chapters in the past have helped educate campus communities about AD, launched music therapy initiatives, and performed clinical research studies. This year, Yale Alzheimer’s buddies is partnering with campus acapella groups to have them perform at our homes. For more information about NAB, please see www.alzbuddies.org.

What do we do?

1. Looking Glass Project:
   • Initiated and led by Jocelyn Ra, this program connects student volunteers with resident families to document and share patients’ lived histories, particularly for those dealing with memory loss.
2. Gift Baskets:
   • Using DH funding, we purchase gifts such as art supplies or DVDs for nursing homes to enhance the residents’ experience.
3. Invite Music Groups:
   • We extend community service opportunities to Yale music groups, inviting them to perform for nursing home residents once a semester.
4. Weekly Volunteering at Nursing Homes:
   • YAB volunteers visit nursing homes weekly, engaging in activities like board games, conversations, music, and art to empower students and break through the boundaries imposed by Alzheimer’s Disease.
5. Volunteering with Patients with Dementia:
   • Yale Alzheimer’s Buddies pairs college students with Alzheimer’s patients for weekly visits, aiming to improve care and quality of life while addressing emotional and social challenges associated with neurodegenerative diseases.
6. Semester Fundraiser:
   • YAB plans to hold a fundraiser in collaboration with local restaurants to provide financial support to nursing homes, ensuring they can offer optimal care, particularly for newer facilities.

For members:

Register here if you are a volunteer at Yale: https://www.alzbuddies.org/yale-registration

Complete your weekly journals here: https://www.alzbuddies.org/yale-journals

Contact yale@alzbuddies.org or Sarah Feng and Rianna Raghunandan (Co-Presidents, sarah.feng@yale.edu and rianna.raghunandan@yale.edu) for any questions.

Related opportunities:

Learn about volunteer opportunities with the Connecticut Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association here.