Eden Gardens, a Nanaimo long-term care home focusing on caring for people with dementia, is currently seeking volunteers for a series of roles including activities helper, resident companion and plant caretaker. Amanda Chomeczko, Eden Gardens' programs coordinator, launched a volunteer campaign earlier this summer in an attempt to build back the volunteer base the facility had before COVID-19, when there were approximately 90 individuals helping out. Now there are half that number. "One of the things that we deal with a lot with people in long-term care is they have a lot of loneliness," Chomeczko said. "We have a lot of residents that their families might not live close, so where I'm focusing, with the one-to-ones, I need as many volunteers as I can get with that." Also needed are activities helpers, volunteers who assist with preparing activities which run each day at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., with volunteers able to pick the day that works best for their schedule. Duties include assisting staff with preparing, helping to transport or accompany residents to and from programs, participating in activities, providing one-on-one support and helping with cleanup and organizing. For resident companions, volunteers will work one-to-one with an individual, sharing conversation or activities. It could take the form of playing games, looking through photo albums or knitting together. "I have one lady who each week joins one of our residents for sewing sessions," she said. "So they sit there and they're able to talk about fabric and they built beautiful friendships, proving that simple share moments can bring comfort, joy and a true sense of belonging. That's what I like from my volunteers and what they can offer to our residents." The plant caretakers are officially known as 'adopt a solarium' volunteers and rather than working strictly with individuals, these volunteers would care for assigned plants within the solarium, ensuring it remains healthy and engaging for residents who show an interest in plants. While experience with older adults or dementia care is an asset, it's not required and training is provided. "Volunteers bring the outside world essentially into Eden Gardens which keeps residents connected to the larger community," Chomeczko said. "Without our volunteers, residents feel more cut off from society which can negatively affect their identity and their self-worth." With all positions, a criminal record check is required and paid for by Eden Gardens. For more information, contact Chomeczko at 250-760-2639 or e-mail [email protected] [/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection].
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