“How would your life be different if...You didn’t wait for someone else to fix a problem or social issue? Let today be the day...You take up a cause that you feel in your heart and give your time and efforts towards that cause.”
― Steve Maraboli, The Power of One
Why are we here?
There are many fears associated with the diagnosis of Alzheimer's―chief among them is the fear of isolation. We are a student run organization dedicated to alleviating this fear and the emotional confinement associated with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.
Our Commencement
We partnered with Claremont Place, a senior residency located 10 minutes from Cal Poly Pomona, as well has Harvard College to bring the Harvard Alzheimer's Buddy Program (HCAB) to our campus. HCAB is modeled after The Eleanor Robbins Community Program At the Epoch Nursing Home in Sharon, Massachusetts.
Our Process
Buddies dedicate one hour a week to building meaningful friendships with dementia patients. The activities they do together can range from having small conversations to reading a magazine or listening to music. Responsibilities also range outside of the senior residence: Buddies document their experiences each week as well as any noted progress, attend weekly reflection meetings and our program events.
What is expected of our buddies?
Buddies are expected to approach every shift as a time to get to know their Alzheimer's patient as a friend, and not as patients. This approach distinguishes us from caregivers, and allows the relationships to ensue naturally.
Music Therapy Program
Claremont Place is excited to incorporate a music therapy program with our buddy program. Buddies will be given a book that their Alzheimer's partner has compiled, called their Life Journey. The Life Journey is a collection of the resident's past (interests, past hobbies, vacations). Buddies use these Life Journeys and get to know the resident's enough to make a "playlist of their life." Options range from songs at their wedding to concerts they attended in their youth. During one-on-one visits, the students have the option to use these playlists to establish connections with their buddy and develop more conversations.