Our Team: Heart and Expertise in Dementia Care

If you're interested in volunteering at The Tulip Place, start by applying here!

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at The Tulip Place, dementia day program. We are thrilled to have you on board and can’t wait for you to meet our wonderful members. Before you arrive at our group, we kindly ask that you watch the linked video for information about how our program is run and why we do what we do! 

The Fundamentals of Person-Centered Dementia Care in Respite Environments

Since the video itself is vague to all respite day programs, let me emphasize a few things that you’ll need to know about our program:

First, we are all about socialization and having fun! We laugh a lot and let the members steer the conversation and activities as best they can. It is imperative that you respect our members and maintain their dignity and integrity.

Secondly, we need volunteers to assist our members with our activities, so please expect that you will be a second set of eyes or hands during activities such as games, art, or cooking; not doing the activities yourself. We hope that you will refrain from being on your phone during periods when the members do not need help. Feel free to join in the conversation!

Third, our members do have varying levels of dementia which affects their short term memory. This means that they may not recall an activity that we just finished or what we did during the day. Please refrain from using the term “remember”. If you tell them they just finished an activity and they don’t remember it, do not push them to remember. This can cause them to become agitated. Similarly, some of our members do not know they have dementia. Although the term may come up, telling them they have it, is not advised.

Also, you will meet their caregivers at drop off and pick up. Please refer all caregiver concerns or questions to a staff member. That helps us keep up with communication and follow up and helps us to personally address the family’s needs.

Feel free to ask any questions! We appreciate your time and interest in The Tulip Place!

Thanks,
Tara Samples, CDP 
Director Activity & Engagement and Volunteer Coordinator

 The Tulip Place, Dementia Day program