“We Serve” Feature: A Special Day at Memory Café
As part of Floyd Lee Locums volunteerism program, “We Serve,” we encourage employees to partner with people and programs that better the communities we live in. If you’ve followed our “We Serve” features, then you’ll know the commitment our Curriculum Development Specialist Joanna Van Oss has for Alzheimer’s and dementia causes.
In her own life, Joanna had a parent diagnosed with vascular dementia. That experience was a window for Joanna into the experience for so many people struggling with memory diseases and conditions in America and is why Joanna gives her time and efforts to programs and volunteer opportunities that need support.
Recently, in honor of her mother, Joanna volunteered with her local nonprofit, Northern Arizona Alzheimer’s and Dementia Alliance (NAZADA). This group, initially formed in 2017, is a coalition of those who share a passion for caring for people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. They represent healthcare facilities, community service organizations, and families who have supported loved ones with these degenerative conditions.
Joanna joined the “Memory Café” volunteer group within NAZADA. Memory Cafés are comfortable, social gatherings, that are activities-based, allowing people experiencing memory loss and a loved one to connect, socialize, listen to music, play games, and build new support networks. They are designed to include the care partner as well, for a shared experience.
Generally, Memory Cafes are hosted and/or facilitated by health care and social services professionals to provide guidance and respond to questions or requests for resources. While there, Joanna was able to connect with some of the extraordinary nurses who are involved in the program. Because of COVID-19, the group hadn’t been able to have an event in several months, which added to the excitement for this event.
“What a special event with so many activities,” said Joanna. “We performed icebreakers as a group, did cookie decorating, BINGO, and coloring—and all with prizes! I was in charge of bringing the prizes and some other supplies and helped check in our visitors.”
All the volunteer participants chipped in on setting up and getting goodies, snacks, prizes, and supplies situated. The event was a resounding success with many smiles, laughs, and treats among those who joined that day’s Memory Café.
Joanna and Floyd Lee Locums invite everyone to consider volunteering with a memory care organization. Not sure where to start? Visit the national Alzheimer’s Association website to find a local chapter you can chip in at.
Learn more about our We Serve program of corporate volunteerism and community engagement.
About Floyd Lee Locums
Floyd Lee Locums provides an elite concierge experience to Physicians, Dentists and advanced practice healthcare clinicians in hospitals and healthcare facilities nationwide. Founded by industry veterans Matt Floyd and Natasha Lee, the company has built an exceptional team of experienced locums and healthcare staffing professionals.
Named the “2020 Best Staffing Firm to Temp For” by Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA), their hands-on approach to delivering best-in-class service, personalized career solutions, and coverage that positively impacts patient outcomes is setting a new standard in the locums industry.