Care Connections is a full-service center for caregivers to find resources and receive support and education that is crucial to helping them provide superior care to their loved one living with Alzheimer’s of other dementia. Volunteers can help in the adult day center, or the library. Many opportunities are available.

The Dementia Friends Indiana movement seeks to advance education and awareness of dementia, reduce the stigma associated with the disease, and create community environments that are welcoming and conducive for those living with dementia. To become a Dementia Friend, you can either attend an in-person workshop or watch a series of online videos. A list of workshops can be found in our education tab. You can find videos at DementiaFriendsIndiana.org.

Through its Adult Guardianship Services Program, REAL Services offers legal care and protection to seniors who are unable to make their own financial and medical decisions and have no one to serve in this capacity on their behalf. To enhance the seniors' quality of life, volunteers from the community serve as Guardian Volunteer Advocates (GVAs) for individuals. As a GVA, you will do more than just visit a client—you will serve as their personal advocate, monitoring their care and ensuring that they’re getting the treatment and support that they need.

Handyperson projects vary depending on the needs of the client and can range from changing a light bulb to fixing a leaky faucet. After completing a volunteer orientation, Handyperson volunteers will be contacted when a prospective project is available. Interested volunteers will be asked to assess their ability to handle any given project, and will only be sent to jobs they feel comfortable doing. Clients are responsible for providing needed tools and supplies for every project.

REAL Services’ Health and Nutrition Education program offers workshops for older adults to increase exercise and support healthy aging. As a volunteer, you and a co-leader will facilitate these workshops. Volunteer leaders must first become certified by attending two four-hour sessions of training and co-lead one workshop as a trainee. Workshops take place once a week for eight weeks for a maximum of 2 hours each time. Volunteer leaders must be available at least twice per year to maintain their certification.

Meals on Wheels (MOW) presents a great volunteer opportunity for anyone with free time during the lunch hour! As a volunteer for MOW, you will provide healthy meals to homebound adults by delivering meals directly to their houses in the South Bend/Mishawaka area.

The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC)/InConnect a part of REAL Services, can help with decisions big and small for older and disabled individuals in need of assistance. Once trained, your help answering calls is greatly appreciated.

Be a 2021 Elf to a senior receiving our services! Purchase a $50 VISA or MasterCard and we will connect you to a deserving senior! No time to shop? We will be happy to accept your donation and get the gift card for you! Click below.