This segment focuses on Alzheimer’s volunteering. Alexis Bonoff, Program Director of the Alzheimer’s Association in Washington state, joins Suzanne to talk about various ways people can volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Association. She also talks about the organization’s clinical trial match tool.
Alexis says, “There’s a lot of different ways you can volunteer. We have volunteers that show up just for Walk day, a one-day-off. Volunteers work with the Walk committee all year long. Others do our education programs. Alzheimer’s volunteering also includes our early-stage memory-loss programs. We have volunteers who are advocates: they go to state capitals, they go to Washington DC, and advocate for the federal government and the local government to keep supporting our research and to keep supporting our programs. And that’s just a couple of ways you can volunteer.”
How to start Alzheimer’s volunteering? Alexis says, “Head to our website, alz.org/volunteer. Put in your zip code and see what they might need in your area, and either talk to somebody like me, or talk to a colleague who might be doing something different. You don’t have to just pick one lane. You can volunteer in a lot of different places.”
Check out the Alzheimer’s Association TrialMatch, which connects individuals living with Alzheimer’s, caregivers, and healthy volunteers to clinical trials that may advance Alzheimer’s research. It’s free and allows you to see which studies are a good fit for you or your loved ones. Visit https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/research progress/clinical-trials/trialmatch to find clinical trials.
Visit alz.org/walk and enter your zip code to find the Walk nearest you to register or donate. Check out alz.org to learn more. Reach master level clinicians at their 24/7 help line at 800-272-3900.
Hear more podcasts about the Walks.
* Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com
