Alzheimer’s Association seeking volunteers

The Alzheimer’s Association Cleveland Area Chapter is seeking volunteers to host its caretaker support groups.

Meetings are held once a month and are intended to give those who care for people with Alzheimer’s, a chance to share their thoughts, emotions and resources. The Cleveland Area Chapter serves Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Lorain counties.

Iqra Baig, program coordinator of care and support services for the Alzheimer’s Association, said the positions are open to nearly everyone.

“We recommend that you have empathy, understand geriatrics or have a willingness to learn and have some sort of the connection to the disease,” Baig said.

The nonprofit organization strives to provide caregivers and families of those affected with the condition resources and support.

Groups usually consist of eight to 12 people, and for the most part, run themselves, Baig said.

“The caregivers that come into the support group for the first time, feel relieved enough to share their story,” she said. “The support group validates their concerns, and oftentimes, can give each other resources that are actually outside of the association.”

A caregiver is anyone who is caring for someone with dementia or memory issues, Baig said.

“Caregivers aren’t always hired professionals,” she said. “They can be family members and are oftentimes spouses of those with the disease.”

The association recently digitized its onboarding process, Baig said.

“We have online training, programs and services,” she said. “It’s all online.”

Resources and support

The website for the Alzheimer’s Association has research, local resources, help and support. There is also a 24/7 helpline — 800272-3900 — for those who need to use its services.

Gina Wittenberg, a support group leader volunteer, has worked with the Alzheimer’s Association since July.

Wittenberg has seen the disease’s effects on loved ones.

“Dementia has affected my husband’s mother and my father,” she said. “My father-in-law supports my mother-in-law, and I helped my mother because she was my father’s caregiver.”

Wittenberg said her Rocky River support group meets on the last Thursday of the month and consists of around four regular attendees.

“Many of them are caring for their spouses, and I think we’re going to see more members soon as the number of Alzheimer’s patients grow,” she said. “We get new attendees every month.”

The goal of the group is to create a space that people feel comfortable enough to be part of and share, Wittenberg said.

“We’re meant to serve as a safe and emotional place,” she said. “We work hard to make it a safe and confidential place — an environment of trust.”

Having the disease is something you can’t work through; rather you have to learn how to adjust your life around it, Wittenberg said.

“You won’t get through it; it’s not something you can get through,” she said. “You’ll learn to live with it.

“We’ll help you and support you while you learn to live with it.”

Being a volunteer is rewarding because you get to see different facets of people and humanity during difficult times, Wittenberg said.

“It’s a great privilege to get to witness the great love they [the caregivers] have for the spouses,” she said. “That’s the magic of the support group.”