When Heather started looking for new volunteer opportunities in the community about two years ago, she knew she wanted to work with older adults. After a bit of research, The Center for Volunteer Caregiving stood out as the organization that best aligned with her interests and values. Heather came to The Center with years of volunteer experience and a personal connection to dementia care, as her grandmother had recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. At the time, she hoped that this opportunity would prepare her to provide care for her grandmother, which was a role she unexpectedly stepped into full time not long after.
Heather now volunteers once a week with a married couple in our caregiver respite program. She visits them on Thursday afternoons, and it has become a special part of her weekly routine. While Howard’s wife runs errands or rests, Heather spends time with Howard, who has Alzheimer’s as well as limited mobility and verbal communication. Their afternoons are filled with simple but joyful activities, such as playing with Legos, cards, or tossing a ball back and forth.
Some of Heather’s most meaningful and memorable volunteer moments are rooted in the small interactions she has with Howard and his wife. Her favorite parts of the experience have been seeing Howard’s smile when she walks into the home and sensing his excitement when he sees her. “He remembers my face and my presence,” Heather shared when asked what has been most rewarding about her respite volunteer experience. She also treasures her relationship with his wife, describing her as incredibly kind and supportive. Heather values the mutual care she feels between the three of them, noting that Howard’s wife will often send her home with dessert for her and her grandmother.
“I feel like there is not enough kindness and love in the world right now,” Heather said. “It is special to be able to get out there, be kind, meet people, and share with the community.” She is deeply grateful for The Center for Volunteer Caregiving. Without it, she never would have met Howard and his wife or experienced the joy they’ve brought into her life.
