Our volunteers truly make a difference in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. With their time and talents, they:

• Provide support for individuals and families facing Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
• Raise awareness of the disease and of the resources available in the community.
• Advocate for public policies to address the needs of people with dementia and their caregivers.
• Help raise funds for local Alzheimer’s Association programs and for research to find a cure for this disease, the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.

The Alzheimer’s Association, Rochester & Finger Lakes Chapter, has opportunities for all ages and abilities.

Volunteer opportunities
Frequently asked questions

For a volunteer application, click here, call 585.760.5409 or email peggy.decker@alz.org.

Volunteer opportunities

Alzheimer’s Advocate: Speak out on behalf of individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Contact your local legislators and encourage them to support public policies to help people with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers and to increase funding for research.

Friendly Connections: Provide support to families and caregivers through follow-up telephone calls under the supervision of an Alzheimer’s Association Care Coordinator. Training is provided. Requires a commitment of two times per month.

Garden volunteer: Exercise your green thumb in our Memory Gardens, located on the grounds of Monroe Community Hospital. Work is seasonal and includes weeding, planting, mulching, raking and other physical activity.

Graphic design: Help on an as-needed basis to create fliers, pamphlets, or other graphic projects. Experience required.

Health fair representative: Assist the staff of the Alzheimer’s Association to set up displays and distribute information at local health fairs.

Library services: Welcome visitors, organize materials, light data entry/typing, photocopying, make telephone calls, loan materials and track items.

Office support: Assist with clerical tasks such as filing, copying, typing, answering phones, making follow-up phone calls, stocking supplies, assembling packets and mailings, shredding, using the Internet or other computer programs. Computer experience is preferred but not required.

Outreach Ambassador: Distribute information or schedule meetings with groups and civic leaders. Training, direction and support are provided. Volunteer ambassadors are especially needed in our rural and outreach areas.

Photography/videography: Take photos or shoot video at special events and provide digital files on a CD or flash drive for Chapter use. Use of own camera is preferred. Volunteers work on an as-needed basis. Experience required.

Sharing special expertise: Ideal for those who want to share special skills with the Alzheimer’s Association. Open to most areas of expertise, including legal knowledge, financial expertise, human resources, art and musical talents or others. Work is on an as-needed basis. Some positions may require a background check.

Speakers’ Bureau: Represent the Alzheimer’s Association at speaking engagements and present information on a variety of Alzheimer’s-related topics. Must bring knowledge of the subject matter (from professional or personal experience), be comfortable with public speaking and be an experienced presenter. Training, support and materials provided. Must stay current on research and related topics. Volunteers work on an as-needed basis.

Special events: Assist at events such as our annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s with set-up, clean-up, logistics and other support. This opportunity is perfect for families or groups looking for as-needed commitments.

Support group facilitator: Guide participation in caregiver support groups, using educational materials from the Alzheimer’s Association, emphasizing group interaction and a non-judgmental atmosphere. Training is provided. Background check is required.

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Frequently asked questions

What kind of training do I need to volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association?

Every volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association will participate in the chapter’s “Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease” class and receive an orientation to our organization.

Further training is provided for particular volunteer positions such as support group facilitators and Friendly Connections. On-the-job training is provided for volunteers helping with office support and at special events and health fairs.

Other opportunities, such as graphic design and photography, require experience.

As a volunteer, will I be working with people who have Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia?

Not necessarily. The Alzheimer’s Association has opportunities to work with people who have dementia and their caregivers, as well as opportunities that do not involve contact with those directly affected by the disease.

Every volunteer who works with people who have dementia and their caregivers must undergo a background check to ensure the safety of those the Association serves.

Is there a minimum time commitment required?

For some positions, we do require a minimum time commitment. However, many of our opportunities are available on an as-needed basis and allow for flexibility in scheduling.

Are there weekday, weekend and evening opportunities for volunteers?

Yes. Many of our volunteer opportunities — including health fairs, special events, support groups and speaking engagements — lend themselves to evening and weekend hours.

Office support and similar positions are available during weekdays.

Can I volunteer for more than one type of job at a time?

Yes, as long as you can meet the minimum time commitments for each position.

Are there opportunities for children and teens who want to volunteer? Can families volunteer together?

Yes. Children, teens and families are welcome to assist us with special events such as the Walks to End Alzheimer’s, which take place in September and October.

Older teens may also find appropriate volunteer positions such as providing office support and helping at health fairs.

Our chapter also welcomes high school students seeking opportunities for their senior projects.

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