Maybe you don’t have a grandparent nearby you can help out. Or maybe you understand the hardships that many seniors in our country and even our local community go through. Many are unable to drive, which prevents them from going to the store easily, or visiting the doctor, or just going out to eat or visit the library. Some do not have family members in the area and are alone for the holidays.
There are plenty of ways you can help seniors in your area though. You can volunteer to drive them to one place each week. You can spend time with them, watch tv, knit, play board games. You can donate gifts to senior charities during the holidays.
Since our Just Like Family headquarters is in southwest Florida, we are going to focus on how to help seniors in this area.
The mission of the Alzheimer’s Support Network is to make the lives of caregivers easier and enrich the lives of patients. The Alzheimer’s Support Network exists to assist families dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and other neurocognitive disorders. Providing a compassionate and loving support system for families is our prime purpose. As a network, we connect families with each other, local resources, and wider coalitions aimed at caring for caregivers and establishing the best possible treatment for patients. As navigators we guide families through all aspect of the disease process, including providing educational programs to families and the community at large. As advocates, we strive to ease the burden of caregivers, enrich the lives of patients, and foster broader social awareness, respect and understanding of those with Alzheimer’s and their families.
They run programs and services including mental health services, community services like financial assistance and a food pantry, and senior services like their Senior Center, outreach and support, and dementia respite support services.
As a volunteer you can be a driver, help in the Senior Center, visit adults who are isolated due to illness, age or disability, and more.
Click here to find more volunteer opportunities.
The Golden Gate Senior Center has plenty of volunteer opportunities:
- Do Spanish-to-English Translations
- Tutor / Teach Computer Skills
- Lead Crafts and / or Art Projects
- Play Music or Provide Entertainment
- Be Handy, Garden, Paint, etc.
- Lead Exercise Classes —Tai Chi or Other?
- Help us with administrative work
- Let Us Know Your Special Skills … We Need Help in Many Areas!
Reach out to Terry, the Volunteer Coordinator
They’re in need of drivers to deliver meals a few hours each week. They need more help in the spring and summer due to seasonal help moving back up north.
Their mission is to fight hunger. Volunteers help with “product recovery, work in our fast-paced warehouse, provide administrative support, conduct their own food and fund drives, and assist with special events. The Food Bank depends upon volunteers who help us to distribute millions of pounds of food throughout Southwest Florida.”
They also cater to special interests like photography, computers, carpentry, and more.
Our mission is to provide exceptional care and support to every individual and their loved ones as they fulfill life’s journey. Our vision is to create an environment in which life’s journey is cherished.
There are plenty of volunteer opportunities including:
- Visitor &Transportation
- Sewers & Artisans
- Office Help & Special Events
- Hope Chest Resale Store
- Pet Program
- Honor Gaurd for Veterans
The Naples Community Hospital Garden of Hope and Courage is looking for Concierge Volunteers. You will be providing patients going through clinical treatments with a respite in the garden.
Requirements
- Outgoing personality
- Ability to push a wheel chair
- Coordinate patient garden tours with NCH Staff
- Complete NCH Garden of Hope and Courage training program
- Must also be willing to work on patient floors when not needed in the Garden of Hope and Courage
Do you know of an opportunity that we missed? Leave it in the comments and we will be sure to add it!
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